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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 01 10 Beautification of Winter Springs Board Regular Minutes MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD JANUARY 10, 1996 MEETING 1. Call to Order Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the conference room, city hall. 2. Roll Call Tom Brown, Chairperson, present Marilyn Dickinson, present John Herbert, present Dawna Ferguson, present Sarah Watson, present Russ Robbins, present Carol Morrison, absent 3. Approval of the December 13. 1995 Minutes Brown stated that ifthere were no errors or corrections of the December 13, 1995 minutes, then the minutes will stand approved as read. There were no comments. 4. Discussion of parks brochure with Parks/Recreation Director. Don Wilson. Brown explained to Sarah Watson,the new member, that the board attempts to have one major item on the agenda each month. They open up the agenda items at the end of the meeting for anyone with a project. The project then becomes an item for the agenda the following month. This month the agenda item was to discuss the parks brochure with Don Wilson. The Parks and Recreation director is probably one of the boards strongest liasons at the present time. Brown said he drove up to Hwy.17-92 and back, and there isn't a lot that the board can project within the next year or two for beautification of the city. The board has looked at the parks as a major item for at least the next year to try and recommend beautification of the parks. The board has pushed around a park brochure which is distributed to the residents of the city. The board collectively discussed and agreed upon a mock up ofa brochure. The Parks Department's five year plan gives a good outlook of where the city is going. Wilson was given a draft of the brochure in November to do a final mock up; however, the department's computer crashed, and he was unable to work on the brochure. Brown said he also called Govoruhk, but was unable to talk to him. He would like to have Govoruhk and the new city manager at the March meeting. Brown said he doesn't see anything the board can do to enhance the brochure. He said they need the final mock up of the brochure to go to Govoruhk or the city planner. Brown said that he would call Wilson. Robbins said that the board has done as much as they can until the next plateau. Brown said that if it's alright with the board, he will come to city hall, and confirm the city planner and Govoruhk for March. Wilson will be attending the meeting in February. MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD JANUARY 10, 1996 MEETING PAGE 2 5. Unfinished Business Brown stated that one of his objectives was to get some people to the meetings. He suggested that each member bring in someone. Dickinson said that the Tuscawilla Pioneer Garden Club is very involved in Arbor Day. Each year the club gives $1000.00 to buy trees for the residents of Tuscawilla. It is nice to see the benefits of all the years of giving. Beautification was her aim even before coming to this committee. She said she would call Altamonte, Longwood and a few other places to see what they are doing for Arbor Day. She added that she would like to do something through the schools next year, and it will cost money. Robbins asked if this would be for the city itself or the Tuscawilla area. Dickinson said for the whole city. Robbins asked if there will be specifications with the trees. Dickinson said that the idea is for the students to put the trees in their yard with a follow up a month later to ask them how the tree is doing. This should be a learning experience for the children. The children will need to be told what kind of land to plant the tree in. It may turn out that we can only afford one school. She said that she could take in slides to the school for some explanation. It was suggested by other members to contact the Forestry, No-Cuts (to check for electric and phone lines), the Public Works Department (to check for sewage lines), and local cable companies (to check for cable lines). Robbins asked if there was a goal on the trees such as: tree lined streets. Dickinson said that she would love to have that, but her aim is for every child to be given seedlings with instructions and a follow up. Brown asked members to give Dickinson any information they may have regarding Arbor Day. Herbert said that he contacted the school about the chorus group, and they are most willing to get involved with the city as long as doesn't disrupt their exam time. Brown said that the Christmas issue is scheduled for February. Brown welcomed Sarah Watson. Robbins said that he would not be able to make it to the February meeting and possibly March. Ferguson said that she also will not be able to attend the meeting in February. Brown said that about five years ago when the "Tree City USA" signs went up, he got trees from the city. He planted the trees over by the Tennnis Villas in Tuscawilla. He said that it is a nice feeling to see the trees grow. The city delivered 70+ trees. The city put out forms to all of the homeowners associations asking if they wanted trees, How many?, Where they intended to plant the trees? Brown said that this went on when Philip Kulbes was mayor. Dickinson said that she would contact Kulbes. ,- Robbins said that the city has a tree spade. He said that he would imagine that, in the interest of the city, Public Works would move trees. Brown said that he would like them to buy some trees for the children in the school. Robbins mentioned planting trees in parks. Brown mentioned that through the building ofTuscawilla, he met a developer who would dig up trees out of the woods, and deliver to whoever wanted the trees. Discussion of planting greenery instead of having walls in Tuscawilla. MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD JANUARY 10, 1996 MEETING PAGE 3 Ferguson suggested to Dickinson that she could contact the National Arbor Society. She added that when you send in the membership dues, they will send 10 Red Bud seedlings, or they will donate those 10 seedlings to a school for you. She also suggested that maybe the city could ask each of the homeowners associations to get involved, or solicit homeowners to join the National Arbor Society, and donate their seedlings to the B.O.W.S. committee, then the B.O.W.S. board could donate them to the schools. The seedlings are mailed at planting time. The Master Gardeners may also have some input of where to get trees. 6. New Business Brown asked if anyone had "New Business" to share. Robbins said that he is anxious to get in contact with the city manager's. Brown asked Robbins to jot down any questions (such as the wall in Oak Forest) so that if he isn't present at the March meeting when the manager's attend, then Brown can bring up the questions for Robbins. Discussion. Watson asked for a map of the city so she could see where all of the parks are located. Brown gave her a map to borrow. Ferguson said that she would like to have a copy. Dickinson asked Watson where she lived. Watson said that she lives in the Highlands. Robbins requested the board to review once a year what the park has done on the expenditures, and find out if they have achieved their goals. Brown said that he thinks that is a great idea, and he hoped that by the end of this year the board would be into their Phase Two. If things had gone as planned tonight, then a new item would have been recommendations for upgrading of the parks in the city per the initial input of the members. (restrooms, tennis courts, etc.) Brown asked the recording secretary to mail out a copy of the 1996 Budget with the minutes next month. That would show what they have already approved. If we present something, and the budget has already been approved; then it won't get done. The budget will be a good item to discuss. 7. Agenda Items for February Meeting Brown said that for February, the board has decided to try to do the final discussion of what the board wanted to present to the city for Christmas. Every idea should be brought to the meeting with it's complete foundation. The board had decided on decorating Central Winds Park. He said that they want Don Wilson to be a part of this also. Wilson will be at the February meeting, so that will work out perfect. Robbins asked Herbert if the chorus left any kind oftime frame that they would prefer. Herbert said that the dates were left open except for when the test dates are involved. They are hoping that it will be prior to Christmas. Robbins mentioned the Arts Festival. Brown said that since it is the "city", it gives us a longer range of time so that it can be done around the exam time. Cities have to be cautious because there are laws now in various situations. Everything has become more international. MINUTES BEAUTIFICA TION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD JANUARY 10, 1996 MEETING PAGE 4 Dickinson suggested having the "Christmas" issue just before or after the Arts Festival. Herbert said that he would like to tie the chorus in with the lighting of the Christmas tree, as long as it was not the same time as exams. Brown said to wait and see how far they get with their decisions next month. Brown said that he felt everyone would give their final input for Arbor Day by April, and then Dickinson could do some fine tuning. He also wanted a presentation by Tom Grimms in April. The city was going to talk to the county and state. The state has already torn up 434 from the expressway to city hall; The only thing Brown is going to ask them is to put an island with two trees on 434 in front of the hobby shop or shopping mall. Dickinson said that the trees will need water. Robbins asked if there was plans in the budget to get reclaimed water. Brown said that he doesn't think that they will be able to do that because it is a state road. Brown said that he volunteered to pay for everything to have it done, but no one would pick up the ball and go with it. The city can have input, but it depends on how hard the city pushes. Brown said that if millions of dollars are being spent, then take 2 or 3 thousand dollars and build an island. Brown wants Grimms to update the board on the 434 Visioning in April. Robbins said that Grimms should have a landscaped drawing. Brown said that he showed 2 or 3 different contours and centers with trees. Brown said that he is highly opposed to openings on roads every place there's a cleaners. Brown and Robbins each shared examples pertaining to openings in roads. Brief discussion of trails. Robbins asked if the skeleton committee that was at the 434 Visioning Project was still in effect. Brown said that they are still in effect. 8. Adiournment Chairperson Brown adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. APPROVED: Tom Brown, Chairperson attest: Martha Jenkins Deputy City Clerk