01-10-01AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
January 10, 2001
7:30 p.m.
City Hall Commission Chambers
1. Call to Order
2. Recognition of Visitors
3 . Approval of Minutes of November 8, 2000
4. O1
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
d Business
Update on Landscaped Areas
Tree Giveaway
Public Beach Access Program
Sailfish Drive
Luminaria
Trees on Francis Street
5. New Business
6. Announcements/Reports
7. Adjournment
4. .>
MINUTES OF
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
January 10, 2001
A regular meeting of the Beautification Cormmittee was held Wednesday, January 10, 2001, in the City Hall
Conference Room. Present were Chairperson Jody Richards, Mimi Ames, Dee Carter, Gloria Vaughn, Jane
Vincent, Gabby Donnelly of Parks and Recreation and Staff Member Susan Dunham.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m.
2. Recognition of Visitors
None.
3. Approval of Minutes of November 8, 2000
A motion was made by Committee Member Vincent, seconded by Committee Member Vaughn
and unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of November 8, 2000.
4. Old Business
A. Update on Landscaped Areas: Due to City Gardener Terry Putnam's absence, Gabby Donnelly
of Parks and Recreation updated the Committee on the landscaped areas. Gabby Donnelly
advised that Terry Putnam would be returning to work January 25. Two Parks and Recreation
maintenance workers, Alan Sowder and James Payton, have been maintaining the flowerbeds.
They cultivated and re-nourished the beds, added new mulch, and purchased pansies to put in all
of the flowerbeds. They are in the process of gathering prices for trees for Seminole Road,
Francis Street and Sailfish Drive. In addition, Timmy Johnson will be meeting with
Commissioner Beaver tomorrow morning to determine where to plant the trees. Gabby Donnelly
advised that Sycamore trees have been selected for Seminole Road.
Gabby Donnelly informed the Committee that $437 worth of luminaria was sold. Susan Dunham
advised that she made an additional deposit of $56 for the sale of luminaria. This totals $493
worth of luminaria sold this year.
Gabby Donnelly advised that she received two requests from citizens who would like to join the
Beautification Committee, Mort Hanson and Ann Betchkal.
A discussion was held with regard to the Beautification Committee's role. Discussion was also
held with regard to the Beautification Coordinator position. Chairperson Richards stated that
applications for this position should have come to the Committee for review. Susan Dunham
advised that applications for city employee positions are not given to Boards or Committees for
review. Chairperson Richards stated that if the City is going to fill a position for someone who is
going to work with a Board, it is customary and proper that the Board review the resumes. Susan
Dunham advised that this is not a function of the Committee, it is a City fiznction-that this is an
employee hired by the City. Chairperson Richards stated that normally the people who are
involved in the Board are brought into that process because the Board members are supposed to
be knowledgeable in what they are working on. Chairperson Richards stated that she has serious
questions as to why this Committee is not given the opportunity to review resumes.
Beautification Committee Meeting
January 10, 2001
Page 2
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Committee Member Vaughn asked for clarification on the duties of the new Beautification
Coordinator. Gabby Donnelly advised that it would be a full time position, with the same
responsibilities that currently fall under Susan Durham's position, along with some gardening
responsibility until the City hires a new gardener. The position will also supervise the gardener
and possibly additional gardeners in the future. Susan Dunham also advised that the new
Beautification Coordinator would no longer be responsible for preparing Minutes for other Boards
and Committees.
Committee Member Vaughn expressed concern as to the purpose of this Committee. She asked
the questions--What function do we serve? Who are we responsible to? Who is our liaison? Why
are we here? Chairperson Richards stated that the Committee is here because the Commission
thinks it is politically correct to have this Committee.
B. Tree Giveaway: Susan Dunham advised that there are 18 participants who have not picked up
their trees. Susan Dunham stated that she had called those participants and advised them that they
had until Sunday, January 21, to pick up their tree. The Committee determined that any trees not
picked up by then could be planted on Francis Street or Sailfish Drive. Susan Dunham will advise
Chairperson Richards as to the final count of trees remaining.
C. Public Beach Access Program: Susan Dunham advised that the City Manager requested that the
Public Beach Access Program be presented to the City Commission in December and the
Commission approved the program.
D. Sailfish Drive: Discussion was held with regard to whether or not to remove the healthy pindo
palms. Chairperson Richards stated that the healthy pindo palms would stay in their current
location and only the dead pindo palms would be removed. Committee Member Vaughn stated
that she was not sure how to incorporate the live pindo palms into the design. Chairperson
Richards advised that there is an opportunity to utilize the leftover trees from the Tree Giveaway.
Gabby Donnelly informed the Committee that Terry Putnam and she prepared a plan for Sailfish
Drive but was not completed due to Terry Putnam's leave of absence. It was suggested that Terry
Putnam provide a final plan by the next meeting. Chairperson Richards stated that the trees need
to be planted within the next couple of months.
E. Luminaria: A discussion was held with regard to the night to light the luminana and how to get
more participation. Committee Member Vincent suggested that next year the Committee contact
churches or school groups to get involved as a task force. Gabby Donnelly suggested contacting
the Teen Council to see if they would be interested in participating in the luminaria sale.
F. Trees on Francis Street: Committee Member Vaughn spoke with a Habitat homeowner who
lives on Richardson Street who spoke with her neighbors and they said their tree preference would
be Live Oaks. Committee Member Vaughn suggested planting trees on Richardson Street and the
Committee agreed. Committee Member Vaughn suggested that the Committee look to plant trees
at any Habitat for Humanity property.
Susan Dunham suggested that by the next meeting, Terry Putnam have written plans for Sailfish
Drive, Francis Street and Richardson Street for Committee approval. This will include the drawn
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Beautification Committee Meeting
January 10, 2001
Page 3
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plan, number and species of trees and costs. This plan will be presented to the Commission at
their next meeting for approval. Chairperson Richards stated that if Terry Putnam were not able
to prepare these plans, to advise her and she would prepare the plans.
5. New Business
None.
6. Announcements/Reports
The Committee changed the February meeting to Wednesday, February 7, 2001.
Chairperson Richards stated that with regard to the function of this Committee, she did not have an
answer for anyone. Chairperson Richards suggested that each member call the Commissioners to
determine what they feel is the function of this Committee. Committee Member Vaughn suggested that
someone determine what documentation is in place with regard to the Committee's role and advise the
Committee members. Committee Member Vaughn stated that if what is in place is inadequate, then the
Committee should work on defining its role. Chairperson Richards stated that the Committee needs to
decide whether this Committee continue or disband.
Discussion was held as to why not many projects have been completed and why Commissioner Beaver
was involved in the landscaping of Sailfish Drive and Francis Street. Susan Dunham discussed the
City staffing issues and haw this affected the garden areas and the timeframe in which projects were
completed. Committee Member Vaughn discussed her displeasure with regard to the removal of the
plants the Committee planted in the garden areas. Susan Dunham stated that the plants were removed
because the flowerbeds did not look good and citizens were calling to complain.
Chairperson Richards stated that the Commission needs to determine if they want this Committee to
exist. If they do, then the Commission needs to give direction to the Committee as to what they would
like to have the Committee achieve. Susan Dunham suggested that the Committee ask one of the
Commissioners to act as liaison to the Committee; that this might assist them in communicating with
the Commission. Chairperson Richards asked each member to contact the Commissioners and Mayor
to ask them, "What is the purpose of the Beautification Committee and what would you like to see
accomplished this fiscal year?" She stated that at the next meeting, the Committee could discuss the
Commissioners' responses and then decide how to proceed.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
~~~~
dy Richards, Chairperson
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