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Agenda Item: 6E |
Prepared By: Jim Kornas |
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Business: Old Business |
Department: Executive Office |
Subject:
Title
Privately-Funded Tree Donation News Article (R. Sullivan)
Body
BACKGROUND: At the Committee’s June 4, 2025 meeting, Committee Member Julie Rogers briefly outlined a proposal to generate public awareness and interest in contributing toward the planting of trees in public rights-of-way (e.g. swales) and other public areas (e.g. City parks). Envisioning a three-step system for: 1) generating awareness; 2) directing interested donors to a dedicated website, and; 3) having interested donors complete an online donation form with their donation, Ms. Rogers proposed a six-month (November through March) promotional campaign primarily consisting of paid ads in the Island's local print newspapers.
The Committee, in discussing Member Rogers' proposal, offered alternative avenues for generating awareness inexpensively which included paid and unpaid social media postings on Facebook and NextDoor, informational articles for the Marco Eagle and the Coastal Breeze newspapers, Letters to the Editor submissions to those same publications, and periodic "Citizen Comments" appearances before the Marco Island City Council.
Committee Member Ryan Sullivan volunteered to draft a proposed news article for announcing this program with the key proposed program details to be provided by Member Rogers.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: Potentially, some allocation from the Committee’s 2026 Fiscal Year budget will be required to publicize the Committee’s program to encourage privately-funded tree planting activities on Marco Island.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and review Member Sullivan’s draft; determine the Committee’s next steps.
POTENTIAL MOTION: None expected.