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Agenda Item: 13A |
Prepared By: Jim Kornas |
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Business: Old Business |
Department: Executive Office |
Subject:
Title
“Most UnWanted” Invasive and Noxious Plants Update (R. Sullivan)
Body
BACKGROUND: At the Committee’s July 9, 2025 meeting, Member Ryan Sullivan shared and displayed his "second draft" listing of potential tree, shrubs, vines, grasses, and ground cover species for inclusion on the Committee's future "Most UnWanted" poster(s), informational piece(s), and eventual Committee-recommended modifications to Marco Island Ordinance 98-19 for the City Council's consideration at a future date.
Member Sullivan received the following inputs from the Committee:
1) Identify and narrow the list to a manageable number of the most invasive/noxious species in each of the three categories specified;
2) add the Earleaf Acacia tree (Acacia auriculformis) to the list of unwanted trees;
3) confirm the shorter, refined list with the contact(s) from the University of Florida IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural Science) that will be made available following the meeting**, and;
4) use QR codes on future awareness-building / information pieces to direct interested citizens to the comprehensive list of "Most UnWanted" plant species for Marco Island
[** Editorial Note: the University of Florida IFAS list of contacts was provided to Member Sullivan on July 10, 2025]
Member Sullivan will share his final narrowed-down recommendations on: 1) trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and/or ground covers to include in the Committee’s recommended modifications to Marco Island Ordinance 98-19; 2) provide his recommendations on the number and types of electronic and hard-copy communication materials to create to support the Committee’s future awareness-building efforts, and; 3) offer his recommendations for making this material visible and accessible on the City of Marco Island website.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: 1) The Committee’s remaining 2025 Fiscal Year Discretionary Budget (if any), and; 2) one or more allocations from the Committee’s 2026 Fiscal Year Budget.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) Solicit and appoint a Committee volunteer to lead the re-drafting of Ordinance 98-19 and work with the Committee’s new Staff Liaison (Fleet & Facilities Manager Joe Parrilli) in reviewing it with the City Staff, other City Committees, and the Marco Island City Council;
2) Provide input to, and endorse, Member Sullivan’s communication and media proposal(s).
3) Discuss a communication / distribution strategy for the Committee’s “Most UnWanted” materials; confirm and approve the number and types of electronic and hard-copy communication materials to create in support of the Committee’s educational outreach to members of the Marco Island community; allocate funding from the Committee’s discretionary budget accordingly.
POTENTIAL MOTIONS:
1) I move that (Committee Member Name) be appointed to lead the Committee’s re-drafting of Ordinance 98-19 for City Staff, other City Committees, and Marco Island City Council review and approval.
2) I move that an allocation of (insert $ amount) from the Committee’s 2025 (or 2026) Fiscal Year Budget be approved to create and disseminate the Committee’s “Most UnWanted” plant species materials.