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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 07 05 Beautification Of Winter Springs Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD REGULAR MEETING JULY 5, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of Tuesday, July 5, 2011 of the Beautification of Winter Springs Board was called to Order by Chairperson Alice Bard at 7:01 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Chairperson Alice Bard, present Vice Chairman Roberto Carlos Acevedo, absent Board Member Larry Chmura, present Board Member JoAnn Mattie, present Board Member Lorry Roero, present The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Bard. INFORMATIONAL AGENDA INFORMATIONAL 100. Not Used. CONSENT AGENDA CONSENT 200. Office Of The City Clerk Requesting Approval Of The April 5, 2011 Beautification Of Winter Springs Regular Meeting Minutes. Chairperson Bard inquired, "Does anyone want to make a Motion to Approve the April S 2011 meeting — Minutes?" "I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING." MOTION BY BOARD MEMBER CHMURA. SECONDED BY CHAIRPERSON BARD. DISCUSSION. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD REGULAR MEETING - JULY 5, 2011 PAGE 2 OF 6 VOTE: BOARD MEMBER ROERO: AYE BOARD MEMBER MATTIE: AYE BOARD MEMBER CHMURA: AYE CHAIRPERSON BARD: AYE MOTION CARRIED. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 300. Not Used. 400. REPORTS Board Member Larry Chmura reported on Volunteerism and mentioned, "On the City website, we have a useful link section, which includes a link for disaster Volunteerism, which is the only Volunteer opportunity on the website at this time. So, I posted the question of other Volunteer opportunities on the City website and I will pursue that in a couple of months." Discussion. PUBLIC INPUT No one spoke. PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS 500. Not Used. REGULAR AGENDA REGULAR 600. Community Development Department — Urban Beautification Services Division Providing An Update On The City Of Winter Springs' Arbor Day Event. Mr. Steven Richart, Manager, Urban Beautification Services Division, Community Development Department presented this Agenda Item and updated the Board saying, "We gave away over 300 trees. I want to thank all of you that came out to help for helping. Mayor Lacey was there; I thank him too, for — being there. It was a successful event." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD REGULAR MEETING - NLY 5, 2011 PAGE 3 OF 6 Discussion ensued on the feedback provided by the attendees present at this event. Next, Mr. Richart advised the Board that the City of Winter Springs' Arborist, Mr. Michael Mingea has just retired from the City, and added, "We are going to miss him a lot and he's a big part of why we are where we are today; a big part of Arbor Day, and our Tree City USA." Discussion. In regards to the Arbor Day event, Chairperson Bard commented, "I think the venue was good." Continuing Chairperson Bard said, "There was a great deal of outreach and you are not going to reach everyone." Additional comments about the event were further discussed. Mr. Richart then recognized former City of Winter Springs' Arborist Mr. Mingea was present at this meeting. Mr. Michael Mingea addressed the Board and said, "I just wanted to get by to thank the Board, particularly those that have helped all these many long years and the — Staff here also that have been there to support us." Chairperson Bard noted, "We certainly value the contributions that you provided to this Board as well as the City and — I echo what Larry (Chmura) said before in the last meeting about how your effect can definitely be seen throughout the City and it is a very positive one." Board Member JoAnn Mattie commented, "We will miss you and thank you!" Additional remarks followed. REGULAR 601. Community Development Department — Urban Beautification Services Division Discussion With The Board On The City Banner Logo. Commenting on this Agenda Item, Mr. Richart mentioned, "We're still waiting on logo design." Mr. Richart also mentioned the City Banners, Holidays, and traditional symbols. Brief discussion on the Banner Sponsorship Program ensued. CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD REGULAR MEETING - NLY 5, 2011 PAGE 4 OF 6 REGULAR 602. Community Development Department — Urban Beautification Services Division Discussion Of Potential Future Projects. Mr. Richart mentioned to the Board that the City has very limited funds and pointed out, "This is where we could get these Sponsorships, too. In the past, we have pursued Grants." Discussion ensued regarding previous Grant funding. Mr. Richart noted, "One of the things we need to do is we need to redo the Christmas tree. That is something I know that needs to be on the radar. It's going on seven (7) years old. That tree is starting to look it. The framing is good, but we need to redo the garland and the lights need to be LED (Light-emitting diode). We're using the old style lights. There are all kinds of electrical issues when we light the tree because it draws so many amps. The LED's (Light-emitting diode) wouldn't. The LED's (Light-emitting diode) are more durable." Continuing, Mr. Richart estimated, "That's something that's going to take four or five grand ($4,000.00 or $5,000.00) to do, maybe more." Discussion followed regarding Banners, gateway signs, the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), and street lighting. Chairperson Bard then asked, "What kind of potential future projects could we do that would involve — either not having a Budget to do it or looking for Grants and that sort of thing?" Discussion ensued regarding funds and Mr. Richart suggested, "The only thing I can think of - that we'd have access to be able to spend [funds] on enhancements or maintenance related to removals — for Arbor Fees." REGULAR 603. Community Development Department — Urban Beautification Services Division Discussion Of New Neighborhood Grant Program Targeting Tree-Type Grants. Mr. Richart introduced this Agenda Item and commented, "We have in our Budget, if it's Approved; I have about ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) of some of that money from the Arbor Fund to do Grants and tree projects." Mr. Richart then noted that Mr. Mingea's previous position was not being funded, as it was when Mr. Mingea was with the City. Chairperson Bard inquired, "Is there a way to keep that money earmarked for the new Neighborhood Grant Program or would it revert back to General Fund?" CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD REGULAR MEETING — JULY 5, 20 ] 1 PAGE 5 OF 6 Mr. Richart commented, "We have ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to do something beneficial and constructive related to trees in the City. There are a couple of routes we can do. We can hire a Consultant who can help us with some of the stuff we are trying to maintain and diagnose. There's a lot of stuff that we haven't been able to do for maintenance." Continuing, Mr. Richart mentioned, "Or that money could just go into Arborist pruning." Further discussion ensued. Mr. Richart suggested the Board may wish to hold Workshops to educate the public; help promote the Tree Memorial Program; and/or share information about the Veteran's Memorial and added, "There are a lot of opportunities. We are just going to have to be creative and not go for things that are going to cost a lot of money or take up resources that we don't have. Without this Board, we'd be in trouble. We wouldn't be able to do Tree City (USA); wouldn't be able to do Arbor Day; wouldn't be able to do all these beautifications things that we do. So, there's a lot for you to do, but we are going to have to be creative while we are in this financial lull to do things that make a difference, but that don't cost a lot." Further discussion ensued on maintenance of trees the City has planted, and trees that may need special attention. Mr. Richart then suggested to the Board, "You all could go around and identify on your own time, like between now and next meeting; find five (5) areas each — that you want new trees. Find areas that need work or — maintenance." Continuing, Mr. Richart remarked, "It's just a thought. Think of it, put it together in your minds and come back next meeting ready to decide where we are going with it, if it's Approved to be funded." Discussion. Chairperson Bard added, "I like the idea about the Workshops, too." Board Member Mattie suggested drought tolerant plant education. Next, Mr. Richart discussed opportunities for involvement with commercial and residential awards in relation to water conservation. Further comments followed. Tape 1/Side B The Board then discussed getting Developers and residents involved in a program that would promote water conservation; and suggestions such as scoring the Applicants, providing awards, and public acknowledgement were considered. Chairperson Bard noted, "I can go ahead and look into that and start to pull together categories and such for us to consider and bring it back at the next meeting." Chairperson Bard added, "People do not want to spend any more money — then they have to, so if they can sell it as far as `We've already put together this package for you. It's going to save you money and time and effort. It may become a prestigious thing." CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES BEAUTIFICATION OF WINTER SPRINGS BOARD REGULAR MEETING — JULY 5, 2011 PAGE 6 OF 6 Discussion ensued on plants which do well in the City with available watering options. Following, Mr. Richart then mentioned, "The BOWS (Beautification of Winter Springs) Board could really be used as a vehicle to get this message across and have an incentivized program for how to do this right." Board Member Chmura remarked, "This just makes a lot of sense, toa The Builder goes to pull the Permit; he gets his packet and along with his packet, is set up specs (specifications) we make up." Mr. Richart added as a service example, "`We have a Citizen Advisory Council that's taking the time to put this together who will support what you are doing, here's the guidelines and — at the end they are going to score you and publish your project' and say `Okay — here's your score and you're going to get a Certification or an Award'." Discussion ensued on different types of grasses. Next, Mr. Mingea provided some additional insight on Grants, educational classes held in Seminole County, and Workshops. Chairperson Bard asked if while Mr. Richart drove by projects, if he could provide to the Board at the next meeting, a summary update of the Neighborhood Grants. Mr. Richart replied, "I'll bring that back to you next meeting." In regards to future business, Chairperson Bard established a list of Agenda Items for the October meeting to include the following: Arbor Day; Update on the City Banner Logo; Holiday Update; Update on the Arbor Grant Fund; Beautification of Winter Springs Board (BOWS) Community Enhancement Program; and an Update on Past Neighborhood Grant Projects. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Bard adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:18 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMIZ'T�D: � AYL COUTANT ASSISTANT TO THF CITY CLERK NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the October 4, 2011 Beautification of Winter Springs Boazd Regular Meeting.