Beautification Advisory Committee

City of Marco Island Florida 51 Bald Eagle Drive Marco Island, Florida cityofmarcoisland.com Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, September 4, 2024 3:00 PM Community Room Beautification Advisory Committee Chair: Shelli Connelly Vice-Chair: TBD Members: Michael Cory, Marv Needles, Dustin Nesmith, Linda Scherzinger, Sharon Watts, Fiona Winter City Staff: Justin Martin, Jim Kornas, Tara Kosieracki Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final September 4, 2024 (1) CALL TO ORDER Chair Connelly called the meeting to order at 3:04 P.M. (2) ROLL CALL Present: 5- Member Needles, Member Nesmith, Member Scherzinger, Member Watts and Chair Connelly Absent: 2- Member Cory and Member Winter (Note: Member Nesmith arrived at 3:04 P.M.; Member Scherzinger was present and participated over remote teleconference connection) Also Present Mr. Justin Martin, Public Works Director Ms. Zurima Luff, Storm Water Engineer Mr. Joe Parrilli, Fleet & Facilities Manager Ms. Heather Reed, Fleet & Facilities Coordinator Ms. Martha Montgomery, Facilities Supervisor Mr. Martin Luna, Audio/Visual Technician Mr. Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist (3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Chair Connelly. (4) INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS ID 24-3780 New Committee Member Introductions At Chair Connelly's invitation, Mr. Marv Needles and Ms. Linda Scherzinger shared brief introductions and highlighted their backgrounds for the benefit of their colleague Committee members. The Committee warmly welcomed the new members. (5) APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA MOTION by Member Needles, seconded by Member Watts, that the Agenda be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS OF THE COMMITTEE: Yes: 5- Member Needles, Member Nesmith, Member Scherzinger, Member Watts and Chair Connelly (6) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ID 24-3781 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2024 MOTION by Chair Connelly, seconded by Member Watts, that the Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of July 3, 2024, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS OF THE COMMITTEE: Yes: 5- Member Needles, Member Nesmith, Member Scherzinger, Member Watts and Chair Connelly City of Marco Island Florida Page 1 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final September 4, 2024 (7) OLD BUSINESS ID 24-3782 Mackle Park Tree Donation - Next Steps (S. Connelly / M. Cory) Chair Shelli Connelly briefly updated the Committee on the evolution of the tree planting plan around the lake at Mackle Park as a result of her review with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee on August 20, 2024, and her subsequent discussions with Parks, Culture, and Recreation Manager Samantha Malloy, and City Community Affairs Director Daniel Smith. She presented and reviewed the revised plan to place 50 - 75 trees around the lake (note: dependent upon the size of the initial planting pots obtained), and she indicated her intention to review the proposed plan with the donating couple to obtain their approval and the release of the promised donation. ID 24-3808 Feedback on “First Responder’s Park” Review with Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (S. Connelly) Chair Shelli Connelly briefly reviewed the results of her presentation and discussion with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) at the PRAC's August 20, 2024 meeting. Noting that the PRAC identified the potential utilization of at least a portion of the property parcel at this location for: 1) the staging construction equipment during the recently-approved and forthcoming Marco Island Racquet Center expansion of pickleball courts; 2) the accommodation of temporary power generators to keep water and sewer department lift stations operational during extreme weather events, and; 3) space for potential for scooter and bike parking once the Marco Island Racquet Center project is completed, Chair Connelly reported that some modification to the Beautification Advisory Committee's Concept Design for this property parcel may be required prior to final approval and funding of this potential project. No specific "next steps" for the Committee's action were identified at this time. ID 24-3784 Ten Thousand Trees Update (M. Cory) In Member Cory's absence, Chair Connelly briefly summarized the status of the Ten Thousand Trees in Ten Years Pilot Program. Ms. Connelly noted that the one-year pilot phase for the Program has reached its completion, and that the Committee must next determine its recommendations for the Marco Island City Council's consideration and direction. She indicated her intention to have the Committee discuss its plan and approach to the City Council at the Committee's October 2, 2024 meeting. ID 24-3791 2024 Fiscal Year Budget “Close Out” Status (S. Connelly) At Chair Connelly's request, Public Works Director Justin Martin presented a summary accounting of the Committee's 2024 Fiscal Year budget and volunteer donations total, along with the Committee's approved projects and actual expenditures to date. Outstanding 2024 FY invoices for: 1) the Marco in Bloom Award yard signs, and; 2) the two Arbor Day tree plaques and stands were provided by Committee Member Sharon Watts. The Committee advanced two Motions to reconcile its 2024 FY budget and approve its outstanding invoices. MOTION by Member Watts, seconded by Member Needles, that Committee City of Marco Island Florida Page 2 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final September 4, 2024 Authorization to Accept and Pay $910.00 for the Creation of Thirteen (13) 12 x 18 One-Sided Marco in Bloom Award Yard Signs to Art Sellers Signs, 812 E. Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE COMMITTEE: Yes: 5- Member Needles, Member Nesmith, Member Scherzinger, Member Watts and Chair Connelly MOTION by Member Watts, seconded by Member Nesmith, that Committee Authorization to Increase the Previously-Approved Committee Budget for 2024 Arbor Day Plaques and Stands by $130.00 (to $530.00 total) and to Pay $530.00 for the Creation of the Two Plaques and Stands to Art Sellers Signs, 812 E. Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, be Approved. MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF THE COMMITTEE: Yes: 5- Member Needles, Member Nesmith, Member Scherzinger, Member Watts and Chair Connelly ID 24-3786 South Heathwood Avenue Center Median Enhancement Update (S. Connelly) Chair Connelly reported that the Committee's approved project to re-plant and beautify the landscape median on South Heathwood Avenue, just south of that avenue's intersection with Winterberry Drive came in under budget, and was scheduled for completion during the week of September 2nd. [Editorial Note: installation was completed on September 5, 2024] ID 24-3785 Landscaping at the Historical Marker Sites (S. Connelly) Chair Shelli Connelly briefly reviewed the plan to execute the landscaping improvements around Marco Island's Historical Markers in two phases, and she noted that two markers at the north end of the Island (the Marco Village School Site, and the Ferry Landing - Old Marco site) were damaged by recent rains. Replacement plantings were being procured, and those plants, along with the plantings for the remaining sites, were being staged and cared for by Chair Connelly. Chair Connelly noted that work to complete the installation of the remaining seven Historical Marker sites was scheduled to begin soon, and she committed to share photographs with the Committee once the work is completed to create a record for the Committee's future use. Public Works Director Justin Martin reminded Chair Connelly that all work related to the Historical Marker Project must be completed by September 30 and all invoices received by October 15 to ensure inclusion in the Committee's 2024 Fiscal Year budget. ID 24-3783 Plaques & Stands for the 2024 Arbor Day Tree Plantings (S. Watts) Committee Member Sharon Watts advised the Committee that she was scheduled to receive the two 2024 Arbor Day tree plaques and stands on September 5th, and that she would install and photograph them for the Committee's record and benefit prior to the Committee's October meeting. ID 24-3790 Tree City USA Status/Next Steps (F. Winter) In the absence of, and at the request of, Committee Member Fiona Winter, Committee Recording Specialist Jim Kornas shared Ms. WInter's email summarizing the results of the 2025 Fiscal Year City Council budget allocation of $30,000.00 toward the City's Tree Fund (Section 30 - 444 of the City's Municipal Code of Ordinances), and he briefly reviewed the four (4) Standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters to qualify municipalities for Tree City USA designation. City of Marco Island Florida Page 3 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final September 4, 2024 Ms. Winter requested that the Committee consider identifying a Committee member to lead and be responsible for the Committee's 2025 Arbor Day and Tree City USA recognition for the upcoming year. [Editorial Note on 10/2/2024: At the Committee's review of the September 4, 2024 Minutes, it was requested that a notation be added to the September 4, 2024 Minutes clarifying that the Committee's 2025 Fiscal Year funding of $30,000.00 by the Marco Island City Council is for the procurement and installation of new tree plantings on the Island rather than for the replacement of existing trees that may became damaged or deceased during the 2025 Fiscal Year] (8) NEW BUSINESS ID 24-3809 Initial Committee Discussion - 2025 Fiscal Year Projects & Budget Allocations The Committee reviewed and discussed its high-priority initiatives for 2025, as well as several potential projects for investigation and consideration during the upcoming year. High priority initiatives included: 1) the annual Marco In Bloom contest and recognition award program (first quarter, 2025); 2) Marco Nature Night (typically conducted during February); 3) Arbor Day Proclamation and Event (National Arbor Day is April 25, 2025), and; 4) 2025 Holiday Lighting along Collier Boulevard (December, 2025) Potential 2025 Projects for further Committee investigation and consideration included: 1) Utility Box Creative Wraps: identifying new or update existing locations for the 2026 Fiscal Year; 2) funding property parcel improvements at the corner of San Marco Road and S. Heathwood Drive (aka "First Responders Park"); 3) Developing an "Ideal Vision" Cul-de-Sac instructional resource for local neighborhoods to embrace, and; 4) Defining an "Adopt A Median" program for future public donations (9) STAFF COMMUNICATIONS ID 23-3274 Director Justin Martin’s Report At the request of Public Works Director Martin, City Fleet & Facilities Manager Joe Parrilli briefly outlined the scope of the project to improve the City's beach access pathways along Collier Boulevard at Winterberry Avenue and at Maple Avenue. Noting that the design solicitation bids will be released during October 2024, Manager Parrilli shared his expectation that the project will be completed within the 2025 Fiscal Year. On behalf of the Committee, Chair Connelly requested that the Beautification Advisory Committee and the Beach & Coastal Advisory Committee be engaged in the determination of plants, artwork, and other executional elements that are included in this project. Public Works Director Martin followed Manager Parrilli's report with an update on: 1) the status of the North Collier Boulevard / North Barfield Drive traffic improvement project, and; 2) the cost estimates received for new/additional hurricane wind resistant benches and trash receptacles along Collier Boulevard. (10) CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION ID 23-3296 “City Council Communication” Agenda Topic City of Marco Island Florida Page 4 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final September 4, 2024 No communication or direction to the Committee from the Marco Island City Council was presented or discussed at this meeting. (11) PUBLIC COMMENT No members of the public came forward to offer comment. (12) NEXT MEETING: CONFIRMATION & ATTENDANCE ID 23-3293 Next Meeting: Confirmation & Attendance Chair Connelly confirmed with the attending members that a quorum could be seated to conduct business at its next scheduled meeting on October 2, 2024. (13) PROPOSED AGENDA TOPICS FOR NEXT MEETING The following agenda topics were proposed for the Committee's next meeting: 1) Mackle Park Tree Donation Update (S. Connelly) 2) Ten Thousand Trees in Ten Years Report & Recommendation to City Council (M. Cory/S. Connelly) 3) 2024 FY Expense Budget Review & Closeout (City Staff to Report) 4) South Heathwood Median Enhancement Visual/Photo/Video Review (S. Connelly) 5) Historical Markers Visual/Photo Review (S. Connelly) 6) Arbor Day Installed Plaques & Stands Visual/Photo Review (S. Watts) 7) Tree City USA Application - Committee Lead Determination (All) 8) Assignment of Committee Leads for Early 2025 Committee Events/Activities (All) 9) Confirmation of the 2025 Committee Meeting Schedule (All) 10) Review of the City's current Cul-de-Sac Resource Materials (City Staff to Report) (14) OTHER COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS During her review of the Ten Thousand Trees Update (ID 24-3784) under "Old Business" (Agenda Item 7) , Chair Connelly noted that a donation was obtained, and planting was beginning, to install an undetermined number of trees around the soccer field at Mackle Park. Chair Connelly also solicited insight from City Public Works Director Justin Martin on the responsibility of homeowners and/or the City for replacing trees that are removed to accommodate City infrastructure improvement projects. Director Martin explained the differences between provisions in the City's Land Development Code regarding new development guidelines, and the application of regulatory provisions regarding trees and tree replacements contained in the City's Code of Ordinances. Additionally, at Chair Connelly's request, Director Martin outlined the permitting and on-site pre-planting review process for obtaining approval to plant trees in the swales around Marco Island. Chair Connelly indicated her intention to contact the City's responsible Water & Sewer Department representative (B. Bradshaw) to more thoroughly understand the City's process and procedure on this topic. During the Committee's discussion of potential 2025 Fiscal Year project (ID 24-3809) under "New Business" (Agenda Item 7), Member Needles inquired about the City's process for prioritizing the enhancement/repair of the Collier Boulevard medians, as well as the use of stones/gravel when exfiltration swales are installed around the Island. Public Works Director Martin provided a detailed description and rationale for the benefit of the Committee. (15) ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Committee, Chair Connelly adjourned the meeting at 4:34 P.M. City of Marco Island Florida Page 5 Beautification Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - Final September 4, 2024 _______________________________________ Jim Kornas, Recording Specialist City of Marco Island Florida Page 6