12/03/2003BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 3, 2003
Present: Elizabeth France Chair
Sandy Curry Vice Chair
Sally Foote Committee Member
Allan Dadetto Committee Member
Rebecca Avrin Committee Member
Sheila Sullivan Committee Member
Also Present: Leroy Chin Park, Planning & Project Manager
Alan Mayberry Urban Forestry Manager
Bobbie Downs Staff Assistant
Absent: Brooks Hammac Committee Member
#1 Call to Order – The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. at Municipal Services Building Parks & Recreation Conference Room.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
#2 Welcome New Member Sheila Sullivan - Ms. Sullivan said she was happy to join the committee. She is a Communications graduate of Florida State University and a resident of the Country
Park area.
#3 Approval of Minutes of November 5, 2003 - Minutes were approved as submitted to members.
#4 Correspondence - Copy of letter from Mayor Aungst thanked former member Dagmar Ortiz for her service. Ms. France told members about a meeting of interest featuring landscape/natural
history photographer Jeff Ripple's works this evening at the Pinellas County Extension Service.
#5 Presentation by Alan Mayberry, Urban Forestry Manager - Mr. Mayberry described how the city tree program had evolved from being re-active to pro-active, primarily in the area of
citizen education and education of staff. Public safety drives the program. The division now employs seven certified arborists and two tree trimmers. He noted Clearwater had the first
Tree Ordinance in the State. Consultants have reported that city residents view trees as the city's most valuable asset. An inventory in 1998 counted 24,000 trees within city limits
and also identified trees that needed immediate attention. Grant monies were just received to conduct another inventory. Mr. Mayberry's department currently is working with Parks &
Recreation in tree preservation of numerous live oaks at Eddie C. Moore fields 8 & 9.
The Annual Tree Giveaway, held in conjunction with National Arbor Day, continues to be a popular project. The free tree program is required to maintain the city's designation as Tree
City, USA. Ms. Foote noted "Tree City USA" flags are awarded to the city each year, and inquired where they are flying. It was reported they were not, primarily because of the expense
of flag poles. Mr. Mayberry said grant monies might be available for some form of visible Tree City recognition.
Ms. Foote moved that the Committee request signs or flags be erected at entryways to the city identifying the City of Clearwater as a Tree City, USA, with appropriate logo. The motion
was seconded and passed unanimously.
It was suggested that the public be educated to look for a certified arborist when they apply for a tree permit. Mr. Chin said customers should ask for any prospective arborist's certification
license number and insurance coverage.
#6 Old Business - Members were reminded to prepare for January 7, 2004, meeting wherein Policies and Procedures will be discussed.
#7 New Business - Mr. Chin informed members that monthly meetings should end at 9:30 a.m. for the convenience of members and staff. Any business not conducted fro 8 to 9:30 a.m. will
be held over until next meeting.
Not on Agenda:
Members complimented the Public Communications Department on publication of the Annual Report/Calendar. It was noted that Ms. France is featured on the November page.
#8 Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.