Agenda Item: 6D
Prepared By: Jim Kornas
Business: Old Business
Department: Executive Office
Subject:
Title
Committee Plan to Maintain the Marco Island Historical Markers (M. Cory)
Body
BACKGROUND: At the Committee's September 3, 2025 meeting, Committee Member Michael Cory reported that, though several planting areas around the Historical Markers are doing well, several have not faired well through the summer. He received the polishing materials and instructions on maintaining the Historical Marker plaques from former Beautification Advisory Committee Chair Shelli Connelly, and he committed to undertake a polishing of all thirteen (13) plaques when the weather turns cooler.
Additionally, Ms. Rhonda Gloodt (Vernon Place) conveyed her interest in assuming responsibility for the landscape care of the immediate area around two of the Historical Markers that the Committee had restored during late 2024 - early 2025. Those being:
1) the Captain William "Bill" Collier Homesite (Marker 3)*, and;
2) the Cushing Archeological Site (Marker 4)*
*[Editorial Note: Historical Marker locations and numbers as noted on page 78 of the 2025 Marco Island Chamber of Commerce Annual Publication and Destination Guide]
Ms. Gloodt also proposed that the Committee consider organizing and publicizing the opportunity for members of the community to volunteer to assume the responsibility to monitor and maintain (e.g. trim and shape) the plantings around the other eleven (11) Historical Markers on behalf of the Committee.
She recommended that a once-a-year Committee-sponsored "get-together" at City Hall with the awarding of simple paper recognition certificates to the volunteers, would go a long way toward rewarding those who come forward to help maintain the beauty of the Markers.
The Committee will discuss if, and how, it might wish to engage members of the community in the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of landscaping around the Marco Island Historical Markers.
FUNDING SO...
Click here for full text