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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 05 13 Beautification of Winter Springs Board Regular Minutes MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD MAY 13,1998 -REGULARMEETING I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 1998, by Madam Chairperson Carol Morrison in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Roll Call Carol Morrison, Madam Chairperson, present Ethel Beecher, Vice Chairperson, present Dart Helgeson, present Darline Cook, present (7:22 p.m.) John Herbert, present Dawna Ferguson, present Marilyn Dickinson, present Also Present Alan Hill, Public Works Superintendent Approval of the April 8, 1998 Regular Meeting Minutes With a motion and second to accept the minutes of April 8, 1998 - it was carried unanimously by consensus of the Board. There was brief discussion regarding a letter that Chairperson Morrison sent to each of the Board members concerning attendance at Board Meetings. II. REGULAR AGENDA A. City of Winter Springs Signs and Landscaping Discussion with Mr. Alan Hill, Public Works Superintendent began with plant selections and colors. Yellow Lantanas were chosen, as they would complement the City of Winter Springs signs which have yellow in them. The Board also discussed the need for consistent watering (especially until we get into the rainy season), and perhaps how homeowners that live near the signs could help with the watering of the plants. Further discussion covered such issues as Board Member Dawna Ferguson rounding out and spraying the circles around each of the signs; and Public Works then depositing the necessary dirt around each of the signs. It was determined that each of the Board Members would pick up the plants at the Public Works Department, sometime after the June meeting of the Board. MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD MAY 13, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING Page 2 of5 B. "Meadowlark" Island Landscaping Board Members reviewed the drafted plans from the last Board meeting with discussion pertaining to the types of plants suggested. There were two people in the audience, and Chairperson Morrison asked if they would introduce themselves. The first to speak was Ms. Kim Doran (221 Charles Street) who identified herself as the Chairperson of the Trails for the City of Winter Springs, and also a resident of the Meadowlark subdivision. She further mentioned she was "thrilled" with the plans for the "Meadowlark" Island landscaping, but was concerned, as there is an elementary school and a middle school bus stop at this location. Her main concern was that the middle school children tend to "hang out" on this island and Ms. Doran felt that hardy plants would be most desirable. The other person in attendance identified himself as Mr. Ned Voska, (a resident of Tuscawilla) who owned property on and near State Road 434, to Belle Avenue. He was interested in the City's plans for the beautification of State Road 434 and wanted to find out what ideas the Board could suggest for his property, which would also complement the beautification of State Road 434. In discussion about Mr. Voska's previous conversations with various members of the City's Staff, Board Members suggested certain City personnel that may be able to assist him. Mr. V oska also mentioned that he owned thirty acres adjacent to the City of Winter Springs and next to MacKinley's Mill, and that he was not sure whether he wanted to be annexed into the City of Winter Springs or the City of Oviedo. Further discussion covered the perceptions of which part of State Road 434 was being focused on, and plantings on the right of ways. Board Member Darline Cook arrived at 7:22 p.m. Further discussion involved the Meadowlark Island; the possibility of moving this bus stop; and potential traffic problems at the day care center also located near this location. Mr. Hill suggested that Ms. Doran contact Mr. Glenn Hammer, the Transportation Coordinator for Seminole County Transportation Services, who may be able to assist with the bus stop location problem. There was further discussion about planting Bougainvillea at the ends of the islands to help deter any children from stepping on the plants. Ms. Doran also mentioned that the curb of this island could use a fresh coat of white paint, and Mr. Hill agreed to do this. Ms. Doran was very, very pleased! MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD MAY 13, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING Page 3 of5 The Board and Ms. Doran further discussed this bus stop location; adding plants to the existing palm trees in this island, the drought tolerance qualities, choice of colors, and the types of plants to use. Mr. Hill showed the Board various photographs of different plants in a number of reference books, and there was much discussion as to the proposed selections. Board Member Marilyn Dickinson asked about the Murphy Road island, and when the work was planned to begin? Mr. Hill said that it should be within the next 30 days. There was discussion about budget expenditures that related to this, and the monies spent on clean-up after the recent tornado. Also discussed were the trees planned for State Road 434, and related funding. The Board agreed by consensus to accept the written sketch by Board Members showing the proposed plants; (this was shown on an 11" x 17" plan). Motion passed. (The Deputy City Clerk was asked to make a final copy of the plan for all members. The original was given to Chairperson Morrison). c. Arbor Day Mr. Hill told the Board that there was $5,224.00 in the Arbor Improvement Line Code, that a large Oak tree near the Tusca Oaks subdivision that had died (probably because of "root rot"), and would have to be replaced using those funds. There was also discussion about the replacement of several trees in the Oak Forest subdivision, and general transplanting practices. Board Member Ferguson mentioned her concern with a City sign on Tuskawilla Road (near Dyson Drive and Winter Springs Boulevard) that was on the ground. Mr. Hill made a note of this, and said that he would take care of this. The Board next discussed setting a proposed date for Arbor Day, and Mr. Hill reIninded the Board that for this occasion - they were going to plant trees on Edgemon Avenue, Murphy Road, and part of Moss Road. Board Member Dickinson had previously told the Board that she thought that the Tuscawilla Pioneer Garden Club might make a contribution to the City's Arbor Day, but because they decided against this, she would make a personal donation herself. She then wrote a check, and it was given to the Deputy City Clerk to forward to the department that was handling the Arbor Day funding. MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD MAY 13, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING Page 4 of5 At an earlier meeting, Mr. Hill had said that he would match whatever monies were donated for the purchase of trees. He amended this to say, "I shouldn't have said, 1 would match the funds, because if someone came out and said, well, I'll give you $50,000, 1 couldn't very well match those funds, so that was a.. . misnomer. ..1 should say... we would use those funds in our Arbor program". Mr. Hill also mentioned that Mr. Brook Seall, Parks & Recreation Department Director, had told him that due to an already formalized plan, that the proposed planting of a tree at Torcaso Park - would not be able to be done at Torcaso Park; but that it should be planted at another location. There was further discussion of the types of trees, leaves, and related root systems that should be planted on Edgemon Avenue, Murphy Road, and Moss Road, as the Arbor Day program. The Board also discussed the new Arbor Ordinance, and how it will affect improperly planted trees. Mr. Hill said that he could give the Board a list of names (and pictures) of trees that the Board could consider. Discussion. Board Member Ferguson asked what the role of the Board was in the Arbor Day program. Mr. Hill explained that the Board was first needed to assist in the selection of trees. He then explained that the Board could assist with letting everybody know that the City was trying to beautify this neighborhood; that they should help get the word out, and get everyone excited about this celebration. There was further discussion as to what were some of the things that should be done to accomplish this, involving the distribution of letters, flyers or door-hangars; publishing information about this event in a local newsletter; and decreeing a Proclamation about this event. Chairperson Morrison told everyone in attendance that she had received a telephone call from a local Girl Scout that was interested in assisting the Board in some way; and that perhaps the Board could incorporate this assistance with the Girl Scouts' Gold Award. There was further discussion about what the Girl Scouts could do if they chose to help with this assignment. After much discussion, the Board decided on Saturday, August 15, 1998 as the date for the City's Arbor Day Celebration. Mr. Hill said that he would work with the Deputy City Clerk and get a Proclamation signed by the Mayor for this event. The Board decided that the some of the other items that needed to be done for this celebration included notifying the homeowners of this upcoming celebration; having a ceremony with City Officials; and coordinating the related agenda item. Discussion ensued regarding how the Girl Scouts could assist with this project. MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD MAY 13, 1998 - REGULAR MEETING Page 5 of5 Mr. Hill said that he would have a list of how many trees would be needed for this project, by the next meeting. He then read to the Board, the official "Green" plan, and spoke of the different species of proposed trees in this plan. There was further discussion about some of these species of trees. Chairperson Morrison told Mr. Hill that she would call him, the week of the next meeting, regarding the picking up of the plants for the City of Winter Springs' signs. In addition, Chairperson Morrison stated that she would mail a letter to the Girl Scouts regarding any interest they may have in the Arbor Day project. There was further discussion on notifying City residents about the Arbor Day Celebration, and Mr. Hill asked about the next City newsletter, and if that could be used to notify area residents. The Board was interested in what other islands are scheduled to be beautified. Mr. Hill suggested that the Board could look at the island on Edgemon Avenue (between Alderwood Street and Bitterwood Street). In the meantime, Mr. Hill would have a sketch of this island for the Board to review, at the next meeting. ID. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS · City of Winter Springs Signs and Landscaping · Arbor Day · Edgemon Island Planting Board Member Ferguson spoke as a Beautification of Winter Springs Board Member and said that she was very embarrassed about the landscaping in the City that was being done by Gator Landscaping. Mr. Hill agreed, and said that he was fully aware of the problems. IV. ADJOURNMENT With consensus of the Board, Madam Chairperson Morrison adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Andrea Lorenzo-Luaces, Deputy City Clerk City of Winter Springs DOCSlboardslbeautiftlty9798/minutesl051398.doc