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Agenda Item: 9 |
Prepared By: Jim Kornas |
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Business: Council Communications |
Department: Executive Office |
Subject:
Title
City Council Communication to the Committee
Body
BACKGROUND: At the Committee’s September 3, 2025 meeting, City Councilor Bonita Schwan advised the Committee that the Home Depot Volunteer Corps has contacted the City of Marco Island to offer to help "spruce up" certain public facilities and grounds for the benefit of Marco Island and its citizens. She expressed her intention to speak with City Manager Mike McNees about asking this Volunteer Corps group to check the status of the street light pole electrical outlets along Collier Boulevard in anticipation of this Holiday Season's Christmas Light display along that route.
Councilor Schwan also applauded the Committee's plan to bring forward a privately-funded tree donation program for the City Council's review and direction. She indicated that she (or Councilor Champagne) would gladly "sponsor" having that presentation placed on the City Council's Future Agenda on behalf of the Committee.
Councilor Schwan concluded by soliciting the Committee's interest in, potentially, foregoing its annual $10,000 discretionary budget allocation for Fiscal Year 2026 in favor of receiving a $25,000 - $30,000 budget allocation exclusively devoted to its 2026 Tree Fund for tree procurement and planting during the upcoming fiscal year.
Special Committee Motion & Vote:
Chair Needles solicited the Committee's endorsement of City Councilor Bonita Schwan's proposal regarding offsetting the funding of the 2026 Tree Fund by forfeiting its 2026 Beautification Advisory Committee discretionary budget.
MOTION by Chair Needles, seconded by Vice-Chair Scherzinger that, the forfeiture of the Committee's 2026 discretionary budget in favor of receiving a $25,000 - $30,000 budget exclusively dedicated to the 2026 Tree Fund, be Approved if Offered. MOTION CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS COMMITTEE CONSENT: (6 - 0)
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: The Committee’s 2026 Fiscal Year Budget.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive additional Councilor feedback at the Committee’s October 1, 2025 meeting.
POTENTIAL MOTION: None expected.