Rodriguez Ortiz, Omar

From: Laura Litzan <llitzan@cityofmarcoisland.com>

Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 10:04 AM
To: Rodriguez Ortiz, Omar
Subject: FW: July Fourth Fireworks

Here you go…

Laura Litzan, CMC

City Clerk
City of Marco Island
50 Bald Eagle Drive
Marco Island, FL 34145
(239) 389-5010

From: rmccann@marcocivic.com <rmccann@marcocivic.com>

Sent: Friday, May 8, 2020 1:56 PM
To: City Council <City_Council@cityofmarcoisland.com>
Subject: July Fourth Fireworks

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the
sender and know the content is safe.

Dear City Councilors:

For more than 35 years, the July Fourth Celebration at Residents’ Beach has been a wonderful family
event. Unfortunately, in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Marco Island Civic Association (MICA) will not
host an event this year.

The MICA Board of Directors is concerned for the safety of our employees, members and their guests. As you
may be aware, thousands of people gather at Residents’ Beach each year on July Fourth.

Our typical July Fourth event includes kids’ games, crafts, face painting, DJ, sandcastle building contest, etc., all
which entails close contact with crowds of people. The boardwalk and walkways are also major points of
concern when overwhelmed with people. This year, in particular, we do not wish to encourage large crowds to
congregate, which would occur if MICA held its usual celebration.

To this end, the MICA Board of Directors will not support the city-sponsored fireworks display this year. The
fireworks display brings mobs of people together on the beach. It also acts as a magnet to draw people from
out of town. Thousands of people gather at beachfront locations, and it would be a medical professional’s
nightmare when all of those thousands of people turn to leave the beachfront via a few boardwalks and
walkways. There is no way to socially distance in such a setting.

1
Our country is currently complying with CDC guidelines of no gatherings of more than 10 individuals with six-
foot social distancing. Our island restaurants and retail stores are operating at 25% capacity. An event on
Marco Island of the magnitude of July Fourth could not meet CDC nor State of Florida guidelines.

In addition, businesses on our island are struggling and are in no position to donate funds toward the display
this year.

As no contract has been signed, the city has no liability at this point. Additionally, funds would have to be
taken from the city’s reserve fund. We urge you to not hold a Fourth of July fireworks display this year.

Hopefully, 2021 will be a better year and our island can celebrate July Fourth in style!

Sincerely,
Ruth McCann
Ruth McCann
Executive Director
Marco Island Civic Association