Agenda Item: 6D
Prepared By: Jim Kornas
Business: Old Business
Department: Executive Office
Subject:
Title
Michael Collins Commemorative Tree Initiative Update (V. Myers)
Body
BACKGROUND: At the Committee's May 7, 2025 meeting, Committee Member Victoria Myers briefly reviewed the action by the Committee on this topic at its April 2, 2025 meeting, and she advised the Committee of a likely revised location at Veterans Community Park for the planting of a tree in memory of former NASA Apollo Program Astronaut Michael Collins.
(Note: the City of Marco Island Fleet & Facilities Department approval of Member Myers' proposed alternate location was still pending as of the Committee's May 7th meeting)
In reviewing her original selection of a Pink Trumpet tree as proposed at the Committee's April 2, 2025 meeting, Committee Member Myers advised the Committee that she is now evaluating other more visually-appealing specimen trees for this commemorative planting, including:
1) Orange Geiger
2) Sweetbay Magnolia
3) Hong Kong Orchid
Public Works Director Martin suggested that the tree selection also be considerate of specimen availability in the immediate South/Southwest Florida area.
Noting that the City of Marco Island Parks & Recreation Tree Donation Form provides size guidelines for tree plantings in the City's public parks, Member Myers recommended that:
1) the Committee continue to support the procurement of a larger, more impressively-sized tree as already approved in its 2025 Fiscal Year Budget allocation;
2) the tree be planted ASAP to take advantage of this year's "rainy season" and;
3) the ceremony to officially commemorate Astronaut Collins be planned for and conducted in the winter/spring of 2026 to coincide with his family's seasonal presence on the Island.
Member Myers requested Committee approval empowering her to select an appropriate tree within the already-approved 2025 Fiscal Year Budget allocation for this project.
At the Committee's...
Click here for full text