Loading...
02-13-1996 .... ....." CITY OF EDGEWATER BEAUTIFICATION & TREE COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 13, 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 7:06 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Members present were: Chairman Felicia Ver Way, Linda Sullivan, and Gail Wells. Dan Lewis was absent. Mike visconti was excused. Also present was Recording Secretary, Lisa Kruckmeyer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting of January 9, 1996 Due to there not being a member to second a motion, the Committee decided to include it on the next meeting's agenda. Welcome New Member - Gail Wells Chairman Ver Way welcomed the new Committee member, Gail Wells. Ms. Wells informed the Committee of how she became interested in beautification. She commented on the barbed wire fence the City wanted to put around the lift stations. She spoke about the City not being allowed to put barbed wire fences in residential neighborhoods. Ms. Sullivan spoke about the problems she had with getting her road paved such as her sprinkler system and having to relocate plants. Ms. Wells spoke about the increase in cost to have Floratam grass put in her yard instead of Bahia. The Committee discussed having to contact T. N. Grassing in order to get Floratam grass instead of Bahia. Chairman Ver Way spoke about the replacement of Dan Lewis due to his lack of interest in participating on the Committee. She asked that a letter be sent to him informing him of his automatic resignation from the Committee due to the fact he missed three meetings in a row. Chairman Ver Way explained to Ms. Wells the pictures of eyesores on u.S. #1 and the medians in Titusville. There was a discussion regarding codes and something needing to be done about getting the eyesores cleaned up. Chairman Ver Way asked that Ms. Wells have a copy of the Committee by-laws at the next meeting. Chairman Ver Way asked that a memo be sent to the Code Enforcement Officer regarding the motel on u.S. #1 across from Magic Market. She asked to please include the picture but asked also that it be returned. Ms. Wells spoke about in another City, where her brother lives, a piece of property can not be sold unless it is up to code. ..... ......, Meeting update: Mike visconti w/Economic Development Board Due to the absence of Mr. Visconti, Chairman Ver Way briefed the Committee on Mr. Visconti's meeting with the Economic Development Board regarding the fountain. Fountain Discussion Chairman Ver Way explained the fountain project to Ms. Wells. Chairman Ver Way informed the Committee of the additional expense to have a plaque placed on the fountain which was not included in the total cost originally given to her. The Committee discussed the lack of response from the banks and possibly having to obtain money from anyone they can get it from. There was discussion regarding Edgewater not being able to plant trees in the medians due to DOT regulations. The Committee discussed other cities getting trees in their medians due to the trees being planted without DOT approval and then they are grandfathered in by DOT when they come in for their inspections. There was further discussion regarding other reasons why trees have not been planted in the medians. The Committee discussed there being high quality water in the medians. Ms. Wells feels the City doesn't care about the appearance of the City. There was discussion regarding not being able to get any cooperation from City staff to help with anything because anything the Committee does is more work for them. The Committee discussed the poor turnout when the medians on u.s. #1 were planted. Ms. Wells spoke about Edgewater having the highest taxes in the County. She feels if people are going to move here or bring their business to Edgewater, the appearance of the City needs to be improved. There was discussion regarding what is involved with becoming a Tree city. The Committee discussed how nice the medians are in New Smyrna Beach. Chairman Ver Way informed Ms. Wells the City has been approved for a grant to beautify two medians on the north end of the City but they are waiting for the widening of U.S. #1. There was further discussion regarding the medians in Edgewater and trees not being able to be planted. The Committee discussed beautifying the ponds in Edgewater with fountains and fitness trails. Ms. Sullivan informed Ms. Wells of her idea to "Bloom Up Edgewater. " Ms. Sullivan informed Ms. Wells of the Committee wanting to beautify the entrance to 1-95. Page -2- Beautification & Tree Committee February 13, 1996 ...... ..."", Chairman Ver Way suggested having someone from Port Orange and South Daytona at one of their meetings to find out how they got trees planted and medians beautified. She asked the Secretary to find out who is in charge in the above mentioned cities and let her know. The Committee discussed not having any money to do any of the projects they are interested in doing and how frustrating it is. There was a discussion regarding the memo of response from City Manager McMahon. Ms. Wells suggested the City get an insurance policy to cover trees in the medians. There was further discussion regarding how nice the medians are in Port Orange and South Daytona. Chairman Ver Way again suggested having someone from each of those cities at the next meeting. Ms. Sullivan commented on how nice the new park is in Oak Hill. Plant the Elms Program Chairman Ver Way asked the secretary to make a copy of the information she received and pass it on to Council for them to make a decision as to whether or not they want to join. Chairman Ver Way explained this program to the Committee. Ms. Sullivan suggested sending the information to Ms. Plaskett with a memo asking her to look at this program and if she feels it is a good idea, to speak to City Manager McMahon and respond back to the Committee. Chairman Ver Way asked the secretary if anyone calls wanting to speak to her to get their name and number and she will call them back due to a phone call received by the secretary of a woman speaking in opposition to the fountain. There was a discussion regarding trees removed from property at the south end of the city. Ms. Wells informed the Committee she is maintaining the lift station by her house. There was a brief discussion regarding who will be maintaining the lift stations in Florida Shores. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Ms. Sullivan moved to adjourn, second by Ms. Wells. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Lisa Kruckmeyer Page -3- Beautification & Tree Committee February 13, 1996