11-14-1995
.....- CITY OF EDGEWATER ...."
BEAUTIFICATION , TREE COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 1995
7:00 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
Chairman Ver Way called the Regular Meeting of the Beautification
& Tree Committee to order at 7:03 p.m. in the City Hall
Conference Room.
Members present were: Chairman Felicia Ver Way, Linda Sullivan,
Mike Visconti. Danita Jurczak and Connie Newcomb resigned. Also
present were City Manager George McMahon and Recording Secretary,
Lisa Kruckmeyer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Regular Meeting of September 12, 1995
Ms. Sullivan made a motion to approve the September 12, 1995
minutes, second by Mr. Visconti. The motion CARRIED 3-0.
Regular Meeting of October 11, 1995
Ms. Sullivan made a motion to approve the October 11, 1995
minutes, second by Mr. Visconti. The motion CARRIED 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion - City Manager - Beautification Projects
Chairman Ver Way explained to City Manager McMahon how
frustrating it is to have so many projects in mind and not being
able to do anything. She spoke about every city having trees in
their medians except Edgewater.
There was a discussion regarding reclaimed water. Chairman Ver
Way thought it was going to be placed in the medians, when in
fact, it is quality water in the medians that the City has to pay
for. City Manager McMahon explained the reclaimed water only
goes as far as the railroad tracks.
Chairman Ver Way spoke about getting trees donated from
businesses and if the trees aren't watered, they die. People
aren't going to donate trees.
Chairman Ver Way further spoke about every city along u.S. #1
having trees except Edgewater. She explained Edgewater is a Tree
City and they either can't plant a tree in the medians or there
are no trees to meet DOT guidelines.
Ms. Sullivan spoke about the Committee being interested in
projects and being told they couldn't do them and then six months
later the project they wanted to do is done by someone else.
There was a discussion regarding beautification being a low
priority.
Chairman Ver Way spoke about the grants they are interested in
applying for. She informed City Manager McMahon of the gentleman
beautifying the medians in New Smyrna Beach. The secretary read
the portion of the memo from Mr. Corder pertaining to the
gentleman working for the Community Redevelopment Agency, which
is a different source of funding.
Chairman Ver Way commented on the Tree City U.S.A. and explained
one of the requirements is for the City to provide $2 per capita
for trees. She questioned the article in the newspaper regarding
the City buying plants and shrubs and selling the trees back to
the residents. She doesn't feel the residents should have to pay
that and questioned, with the City being a Tree City, if the
trees should come out of the budget. City Manager McMahon
elaborated on her concerns.
Chairman Ver Way f~her commented on some of ~e projects the
Committee is interested in doing.
There was a discussion regarding a fountain the Committee would
like to see placed at the corner of Indian River Blvd. and U.S.
#1 on the median strip from U.S. #1 to Riverside Drive. The
Committee feels this is a good focal point for the citizens
coming in from 1-95.
There was a discussion regarding the fountains in the ponds
around the City.
Mr. visconti explained the fountain project and the costs
involved with the fountain. Mr. Visconti stated the fountain is
going to be 7' high and 6' wide. He commented on the sign that
would be in front of the fountain.
Mr. Visconti commented on the appearance coming into Edgewater
from 1-95. City Manager McMahon stated he doesn't like the
appearance.
Chairman Ver Way asked where the Chamber's Welcome to Edgewater
sign is. City Manager McMahon informed her Mr. Corder has it.
There was a discussion regarding how some of the businesses in
Edgewater are starting to clean up and some of the eyesores still
remalnlng in Edgewater. Chairman Ver Way explained and showed
the pictures she had of the eyesores in Edgewater. Chairman Ver
Way feels people are finally starting to take an interest in the
beautification of Edgewater.
City Manager McMahon gave the Committee some suggestions of how
to approach their concerns.
Chairman Ver Way asked about having a $1 referendum for
beautification. Mr. Visconti feels most people would go for it.
City Manager McMahon doesn't feel the residents are going to go
for another tax increase.
Ms. Sullivan expressed her concerns regarding whether some day it
would be feasible to separate Parks and Recreation. City Manager
McMahon elaborated on Ms. Sullivan's concerns.
There was a discussion regarding putting trees in the medians and
the liability to the City if someone was to get into an accident
and sue the city.
There was a discussion regarding the DOT guidelines and other
cities having trees in their medians.
There was a discussion regarding the widening of U.S. #1. City
Manager McMahon informed the Committee it will be started in
March.
Chairman Ver Way asked what
She went to a meeting where
nothing ever became of it.
ISTEA moneys. City Manager
money was reallocated.
ever happened to getting sidewalks.
Edgewater was third on the list and
There was a discussion regarding the
McMahon informed the Committee the
Ms. Sullivan asked City Manager McMahon if he sees any feasible
way to beautify the median on SR 442 up to the tracks once the
reclaimed water is in there. City Manager McMahon elaborated on
her concerns.
There was further discussion regarding beautifying the median on
SR 442.
Chairman Ver Way informed the Committee she was informed it is
too cold to plant palm trees during this time of year so they
will be getting three holly trees. She spoke about the problems
they have had over the years finding places to plant trees for
Arbor Day.
Page -2-
Beautification & Tree Committee
November 14, 1995
Ms. Sullivan feels ~e Committee should concen.~te on the median
strip going from U.S. #1 to Riverside Drive on Indian River Blvd.
The Committee felt that is a good idea. City Manager McMahon
agreed that is probably the best place this year.
Chairman Ver Way stated she wanted to speak to Roger Smith about
getting more palm trees planted out by 1-95 because the trees
that were planted before died.
The Committee further discussed the fountain being placed at the
intersection of Indian River Blvd. and U.S. #1.
Chairman Ver Way asked why there is no guardrail on the side
where the canal is on the east side of Indian River Blvd. City
Manager McMahon informed her that washes out.
City Manager McMahon informed the Committee he would talk to Mr.
Wadsworth about some of the issues the Committee discussed with
him regarding the water.
Ms. Sullivan spoke about proposing the beautification of the
front of City Hall and being told no and then six months later
trees and plants are planted and how upsetting it is for the
Committee.
The Committee spoke about being involved with the planting of the
plants in the three medians on U. S. #1.
Chairman Ver Way informed City Manager McMahon of their interest
with wanting to get involved with the Edgewater Pride Campaign
and it being difficult for them to do anything.
City Manager McMahon agreed to look into the Committee's concerns
and get back to them.
Chairman Ver Way feels once the residents starting seeing
beautification they will be more willing to make donations.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Christmas house.
Chairman Ver Way spoke about an article in the newspaper entitled
"Plans for Area cities Include Beautification" and Edgewater and
Oak Hill not being listed.
City Manager McMahon understood the Committee's frustration and
agreed to help them.
The Committee thanked Mr. McMahon for coming.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Sullivan made a
motion to adjourn, second by Mr. Visconti. The meeting adjourned
at 8:17 p.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Lisa Kruckmeyer
Page -3-
Beautification & Tree Committee
November 14, 1995