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12/04/1996 BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER December 4, 1996 Present: William Baldwin Chair Katherine Merriam Member Marcia Blakemore Member Sheila Cole Member Candace Gardner Member Robert Sudalnik Member Nancy Aft Member Art Kader Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Mark Roether Parks and Recreation Nursery Superintendent Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Delphine Pullar Member Thelma Blasko Member Ream Wilson Parks and Recreation Director I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Baldwin at 9:02 a.m. at the In order to provide continuity for Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida. research, the items will be listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. II. Approval of Minutes of November 6, 1996 moved Member Cole to approve the minutes of November 6, 1996 as submitted motioncarried in writing to each member. The was duly seconded and unanimously. III. Correspondence Members reviewed a letter from the HBA (Historic Bayview Association) dated November 26, 1996 addressed to Chair Baldwin. The HBA is requesting the Beautification Committee’s support to recommend that the property located at 3035 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard be placed on the Penny for Pinellas project list. They hope to obtain funds through a Preservation 2000 grant with the match coming from Penny for Pinellas. It is a 4 acre parcel of vacant land with many old, giant oak trees, just west of the Bayside Bridge. The HBA feels it would be an asset to the City as a passive park since it is a heavily traveled corridor. Members are encouraged to look at the property before the next meeting so that a decision can be made whether or not to send a recommendation to the City Commission. This Committee will inform the HBA their request is being reviewed. It was noted Coopers Bayou Park is a well-used park. Although there is limited grass parking, many residents roller blade, jog and utilize the park. It was remarked that the grass parking spaces are not well-defined, and a recommendation was made that the Parks and Recreation Department install cement parking stops to indicate mBC12.96 1 12/04/96 parking areas. One member indicated that there was a problem with alligators in the lake. It was suggested putting bars across drainage areas to diminish their numbers. IV. Ongoing Business A. Neighborhood Sign Program - Rich Baier, City Engineer Mr. Baier was unable to attend today’s meeting regarding the sign program. A remark was made that someone had called the City stating the new turquoise signs were not professional-looking and requested they be removed. Member Merriam moved to inform the City Commission that the Beautification Committee is in favor of motion the signs, and recommends and encourages their use. The was duly seconded carried and unanimously. The recommendation will be sent to the City Manager and copied to the City Engineer. Other signage was discussed. It was suggested signs throughout the City be consolidated, listing all prohibited activities on one sign. A comment was made that it would be nice to have signs with positive messages, however, if prohibitive signs are not posted, the Police cannot enforce the rules. A “Welcome to Sand Key” sign will be placed on the north side of the Sand Key bridge. Members emphasized neighborhood signs should not detract from the “Welcome to Clearwater” signs. A remark was made that the sign at Bayshore Boulevard and Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard advertising the 1998 Olympic games in Nagano, Japan was attractive, but the post is in poor condition. A suggestion was made to landscape it with hibiscus. A letter will be sent to the Traffic Engineering Department expressing the Beautification Committee’s appreciation and support of their design of the turquoise signs with the hibiscus logo. B. Appreciation Program The Appreciation Program has been approved. Discussion ensued regarding criteria for the program. It was suggested adding this item to the Beautification Committee’s monthly agenda. Ideas include 1) at monthly meetings members will nominate locations that have exhibited exceptional beautification efforts to include landscaping, or renovations to property; 2) awards will include acknowledgment of locations that continuously maintain and beautify properties as well as new beautification efforts; 3) a standard appreciation letter, along with a personalized certificate, will be awarded and mailed to recipients monthly; and 4) there will be no limitations on the number of monthly awards granted. Member Sudalnik will develop criteria, based on members’ input, to include whether or not both residential and commercial properties will be considered, whether or not only properties along main corridors will be recognized, and minimum landscaping standards. A suggestion was made that the Appreciation Program could be highlighted in a monthly column of the Beach Bee or Clearwater Leader recognizing award winners. mBC12.96 2 12/04/96 It was noted Magnolia Manor Retirement Community on Myrtle Avenue and Jasmine Street has greatly improved their property. C. Memorial Causeway Bridge A meeting was held on December 3, 1996 regarding the Memorial Causeway Bridge proposal. Displays and photographs were available for review and public input was obtained. A final meeting will be scheduled for sometime in January of 1997. D. Gulf-to-Bay Beautification Program It was suggested notifying all business owners along U. S. Highway 19 to Highland Avenue that the City has funds for a beautification project. The City will supply, plant and initially water palm trees until they are established. Thereafter, businesses would be responsible for maintenance. An agreement would be required to cover liability and other issues. It was noted this program will require approval from the City Manager prior to implementation. Hopes are to distribute letters to businesses next month. V. Staff Reports No staff reports were offered. VI. New Business Discussion ensued about changing this Committee’s meeting time. It is difficult for people who work to participate as a member of a City board or committee. Consensus was tomove the Beautification Committee meetings to 8:00 a.m. beginning in January 1997. It was noted that Ream Wilson will be unable to attend future meetings of the Beautification Committee due to other commitments. Mr. Kader volunteered to serve as liaison at meetings. The City Clerk’s office will be notified of these changes. Discussion ensued regarding holiday decorations. A remark was made that trees are not decorated due to costs and maintenance requirements. Some neighborhood associations maintain and pay for decorations in their own neighborhoods. It was noted an outside contractor will decorate light poles and the tree by the Civic Center. VII. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m. January The next meeting of the Beautification Committee is scheduled for 8, 1997 at 8:00 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Conference Room in the Municipal Services Building, Clearwater, Florida. mBC12.96 3 12/04/96 _________________________________ Chair Beautification Committee Attest: _____________________________________ Board Reporter mBC12.96 4 12/04/96