Loading...
01-09-1996 ... ~ CITY OF EDGEWATER BEAUTIFICATION & TREE COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 9, 1996 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: Chairman Ver Way called the Regular Meeting of the Beautification and Tree Committee to order at 7:10 p.m. in the city Hall Conference Room. Members present were: Chairman Felicia Ver Way, Linda Sullivan, and Mike visconti. Dan Lewis was absent. Also present were Mayor Hayman, Howard Ver Way, and Recording Secretary Lisa Kruckmeyer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting of November 14, 1995 Ms. Sullivan made a motion to approve the November 14, 1995 minutes, second by Mr. visconti. The motion CARRIED 3-0. Regular Meeting of December 12. 1995 Mr. visconti made a motion to approve the December 12, 1995 minutes, second by Ms. Sullivan. The motion CARRIED 3-0. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion of Future Beautification Plans Discussion with Mayor Hayman Chairman Ver Way welcomed Mayor Hayman and Mr. Ver Way. Mr. visconti made a presentation regarding the fountain the Committee would like to see at the intersection of Indian River Blvd and U.S. #1. He showed pictures of the fountain to Mayor Hayman. Mr. Ver Way feels the fountain would be an asset to the community. Ms. sullivan informed Mayor Hayman they want to put the fountain on the side of the road owned by the city so they can do with it what they want. Chairman Ver Way stated she spoke to Karen Hedden from First Union Bank but as of this morning, there was a budget cut for advertising between the four branches and the total they have for the year is $1,000. Ms. Hedden informed her she would get back to her with how much the bank could donate in two weeks. Chairman Ver way stated she still has to meet with Sun Trust, Barnett and First Federal over the next two weeks. Ms. Sullivan briefed Mayor Hayman on her "Bloom Up Edgewater" project. Chairman Ver Way showed Mayor Hayman pictures of the medians in Titusville. Mr. Ver Way asked Mayor Hayman when the reclaimed water would be going down S.R. 442 or U.S. #1. Mayor Hayman commented on the cost to do that right now being prohibitive. '. "'-" """'" Mayor Hayman spoke about the widening of S.R. 442 happening in approximately 2001. The money for the widening comes from three sources of funding. Most of the money is federal funds. Mr. Ver Way questioned there being sidewalks down S.R. 442. Mayor Hayman informed the Committee there would be sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Mr. Ver Way asked about getting sidewalks down u.s. #1 to Roberts Road. Mayor Hayman spoke about enhancement dollars available through DOT. We are going to get the sidewalks extended down one side of the road in 1996. Mr. Ver Way expressed his concerns for the children's safety. He suggested putting mulch down on Indian River Blvd so they can at least get to the Library. Mayor Hayman spoke about the idea of creating walkways on the east-west streets where they have been abandoned in Florida Shores. Mayor Hayman spoke about the collection and transmission of the water during the past two rains in the areas in Florida Shores that are finished and how well it is working. There was a discussion regarding trees being moved that are in the way of the paving instead of destroyed. Mr. Ver Way questioned the City making mulch and laying it down Indian River Blvd to create a walking area. Chairman Ver Way spoke about the mulched bikepaths and pedestrian walks in Tallahassee. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee get in touch with Hugh williams to find out the City's mulching capacity and any extra they may need they could get from the County landfill. There was a discussion regarding items that could be used to confine the mulch. Mayor Hayman informed the Committee of the MPO's Bicycle Pedestrian Sub Committee and how the Senior cyclists let the Committee down. They were supposed to take a Southeast Volusia map and with their knowledge list the routes they liked to ride and the danger areas. One member of the Senior cyclists showed up and they were never heard from again. Ms. Sullivan spoke about a Cyclist committee that is using abandoned railroad tracks and making bike trails. Mayor Hayman informed the Committee of all the abandoned railroad track in Edgewater but the FEC will not sell the right-of-way. There was a discussion regarding getting trees in the medians and all the other cities having trees except Edgewater. The problem being because of state and federal regulations. Chairman Ver Way spoke about a gentleman from DOT saying Edgewater has the nicest medians out of all the towns around. Mayor Hayman informed Chairman Ver Way she is speaking to the wrong person. She needs to speak to Ms. Alexander at DOT who is the District Five Person responsible for maintenance of all roads. Chairman Ver Way stated she called Barbara Myers from the MPO but she has not heard back from her yet. Mayor Hayman suggested the committee go to her office and sit down and speak to her. She is the one who helps the City manage the funds, plans and programs. Page -2- Beautification & Tree Committee January 9, 1996 ~ ....., Mayor Hayman informed Chairman Ver Way he would get the number for Ms. Alexander. Ms. Sullivan questioned how Deltona got their 1-95 entrance and exit ramp beautified with trees and shrubs. Mayor Hayman explained different organizations networked together and got that done as a group. There was a discussion regarding how some cities get beautification done and some don't. Mayor Hayman explained a lot of it is timing but on the other hand representation is too. Mayor Hayman spoke about the competition for getting beautification dollars. Mr. Ver Way spoke about how beautiful Canal Street looks in New Smyrna and the beautification of Beach Street in Daytona. There was a discussion regarding there not being a central core location in Edgewater. Mr. visconti referred to a letter he wrote a couple months back and his concern of there being no main street. There was a discussion regarding the Library. Mr. visconti spoke on the trucks parked out by 1-95. Mayor Hayman spoke about a discussion he had with Representative Mica regarding Votran placing a terminal in Edgewater. Mayor Hayman spoke about the need for a park and ride facility, a transportation transfer point or a truck stop to eliminate the trucks parking out by 1-95. Mayor Hayman feels the fountain is a good idea and agreed to help the Committee obtain funds for the fountain. Mr. visconti informed Mayor Hayman the total cost for the fountain is $4,000. Mr. Ver Way commended Mr. visconti for the work he has done. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee bring the fountain idea to the Council and the Chamber for support. Chairman Ver Way explained the intent was for this to be donated by the banks. She explained they would rather do it on their own initiative. Chairman Ver Way was hoping to incorporate the fountain with Arbor Day. Mr. visconti presented a breakdown of the costs for the fountain. Chairman Ver Way spoke about how nice the Winn Dixie looks and how pleased she is that they have kept up the maintenance on it. Chairman Ver Way made a presentation of her project to beautify the duck pond at the 1700 block in Florida Shores between Juniper and Needle Palm. There was a discussion regarding having planks, benches and picnic tables engraved and people liking to see their names or loved ones names engraved. Mayor Hayman spoke about a presentation made by Leah Fugate to the Council regarding beautification. Chairman Ver Way questioned who is responsible for trimming and mowing the grass and weeds around the ponds. Ms. Sullivan stated it is the Public Works Department. Mayor Hayman informed the Committee that this is being looked at right now. Page -3- Beautification & Tree Committee January 9, 1996 ~ ...." Mayor Hayman spoke of the money that will be saved once the roads are paved due to no longer having to scrape the roads and how the money is going to be used when placed back in the budget. Mayor Hayman stated now is the time to get a presentation together and come to Council with what they want to do. He spoke about needing to have water for the fountain. Mr. visconti informed him it is self-contained. There was a discussion regarding the cost to operate the fountain being $30 a month. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee come to Council on a quarterly basis and make a presentation regarding projects the Committee is interested in doing. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee speak to City Engineer Fegley because he will be asked to look at the implications of traffic if the fountain is placed at the intersection of u.s. #1 and Indian River Blvd. Chairman Ver Way asked Mayor Hayman how they should go about getting on the agenda which he explained to her. The Committee further discussed the location of the fountain and getting the palm trees at the intersection relocated. Mayor Hayman informed the Committee of some of the City staff they need to speak to regarding the fountain. Ms. Sullivan spoke about no one wanting to hear from the Committee because whatever they do, it makes more work for another department. Chairman Ver Way spoke about putting out canisters to help collect money if they don't get enough money from the banks for the fountain. Ms. Sullivan spoke about the budget report included with the Tree city U.S.A. recertification application. She questioned how the Parks and Recreation Department planted 42 trees last year. When we went to them to plant two trees, there was no place they could be planted. She would like to know from Mr. Corder where these trees were planted. She asked that a spot be saved for three or four trees every year for Arbor Day from now on. Mayor Hayman doesn't see that being a problem anymore due to the east-west streets that were abandoned in Florida Shores. Chairman Ver Way stated she was told they could not plant a tree unless there is water available. Mayor Hayman questioned who told Ms. Ver Way that. She informed him Hugh williams. Mayor Hayman feels the Committee needs to find out how other cities handle Arbor Day tree planting policies. There was a discussion regarding the problems the Committee had during the last Arbor Day Celebration with putting trees on the median going from U.S. #1 to the River due to the lack of water. The Committee expressed concern with not knowing where these trees are being planted. Mayor Hayman feels there may be a lack of communication. Ms. Sullivan stated the Committee would like to know where the 42 trees are and the trees that are planted in the City so they may start an inventory. Page -4- Beautification & Tree Committee January 9, 1996 "-" """"" Mayor Hayman suggested when the Road Improvement Program is done, the Committee get a map and mark on the map where trees are being planted. Ms. Sullivan questioned the amount of pruning on the budget report submitted with the Tree City application. She spoke about a gentleman who is trimming trees for free in New Smyrna Beach on Flagler and the trees in front of City Hall. This gentleman's business is located in Edgewater. Ms. Sullivan spoke about the only palm tree on u.S. #1 only being trimmed one time in six years. She suggested whoever is in charge of trimming the tree get in touch with the gentleman doing the trees in New Smyrna and ask him to maintain that tree as well. Mayor Hayman stated he and City Manager McMahon will soon be working on the preliminaries for mid-year budget report. After that they will begin working on next year's budget. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee try to obtain some of the money back from the Chamber that is given to them on a $.50 per capita basis. Chairman Ver Way spoke about a new beautification restoration award they would like to have to give to businesses that have gone out of their way to fix up their business. She questioned how they go about getting funds to get these signs made. Mr. Ver Way spoke about the Chamber taking all the credit for projects they do and the Beautification Committee would like to take the credit for their projects. Mayor Hayman spoke about ways the Chamber has helped him. Mayor Hayman presented some suggestions for different categories for a beautification award. Chairman Ver Way stated it is nice to see some of the businesses cleaning up their buildings and she feels they need to be recognized. Mr. Ver Way spoke about some of the eyesores along u.S. #1 that have not been taken care of. Chairman Ver Way asked that a memo be sent to Code Enforcement regarding the motel across from the Magic Market. There was a discussion regarding the pictures of the eyesores in Edgewater. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee to take the pictures to Mr. Karet or City Attorney Storey to get an update of what is going on with the eyesores that still exist. There was a discussion regarding the status of Edgewater getting a new Post Office. Ms. Sullivan spoke about Chief Vola contacting her regarding comments made by her at the last meeting. There was a discussion regarding what happened to the watering truck that was given to the City to water medians. Mr. Ver Way feels they need more streetlights in Edgewater. He is worried something is going to happen to someone on a dark street. Page -5- Beautification & Tree Committee January 9, 1996 ...... .."" Mayor Hayman agreed to get him information pertaining to the streetlight program in Edgewater. He informed Mr. Ver Way that Mr. Fegley is in charge of streetlights. Chairman Ver Way asked the secretary to provide ice water and cups at the next meeting. Mayor Hayman suggested the Committee talk to George Barlow about obtaining some money back from the Chamber. Chairman Ver Way stated the Committee needs to coordinate a time for them to meet with the Economic Development Board. Chairman Ver Way asked that a memo be sent to Philip Fong of the Economic Development Board and let him know the Committee would be happy to attend their February 1st meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Visconti made a motion to adjourn, second by Ms. Sullivan. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Kruckmeyer Page -6- Beautification & Tree Committee January 9, 1996