HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes B&E 030701Beautification and Environmental Committee
Summary Notes
Wednesday, March 7, 2001
The March 7, 2001, regular meeting of the PBG B &E Committee has called to
order by Joe Royals at 5:40 P.M. in the Growth Management Department
meeting room of the Municipal Complex located at 10500 North Military Trail,
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The following members were in attendance:
Joe Royals, Jeff Renault, Betty Marks, Connie Premuroso, Sally Wilks and
Donna Wisneski. City Staff Liaison Mark Hendrickson was present.
Items by the City Council Liaison and Staff Liaison
City Council Liaison David Clark was not able to attend. Staff Liaison Mark
Hendrickson said he was scheduling City Manager Ron Ferris for the next
meeting. Sally asked about the resumes that applied for the vacant
Committee positions. After a brief discussion, Mark suggested he invite any
interested applicants to attend a meeting or two to acquaint them with the
Committee. That was OK.
Old Business
a) Beautification Award - The nominees are Publix at Oakbrook, Christ
Fellowship (North Campus), and The Oak Center. After discussion of each
project, Jeff made a motion to give The Oak Center the Beautification
Award. It was seconded and approved.
The Committee asked if we could get a new Award's sign. Mark said he
requested a 2001/2002 budget for it. The Committee asked if the sign could
purchase sooner because it was stolen. Mark would ask.
Bettie Marks asked about the trees blocking the clock tower at the PGA
Commons #1 project. Mark would look into the issue.
New Business
a) City Wide Roadway Beautification Plan — update: Mark stated that it has hit
a few snags. First the cost to implement and maintain is a concern. The
text about a special taxing district is not being supported. One or more
other plans are being proposed. City Manager Ron Ferris has requested a
pros and cons list for the proposed plan and alternatives. A discussion
about the plant installation occurred. Currently, the City is still requiring
roadway landscaping to be installed and maintained by the adjacent
developer. The design would be what FDOT would permit and to the
degree possible match the previously approved landscaping in that area.
b) Honor Park: Mark described to the Committee what happened recently,
when a tree planting ceremony at Lake Catherine for the Gardens Women
Club, turned into a Honor Park for Arbor Day. The size of the ceremony
was a surprise and Mark would have liked the Committee present.
c) Dog Park: This is a small task force of residents that are working through
Park & Recreation Director Sue Miller office to get support for a dog park.
Presently, dogs are not allowed in City Parks and it will require a code
amendment. There is no plan, but when one is prepared it will come in
front of the Committee. Sally suggested to have a member of the Dog Park
Task to address the B &E Committee. Mark said he will line it up.
The Committee discussed how they felt about some City Departments
ignoring the Committee, and do not involve them in the review and approval
process of new landscape projects per City Council's directive.
Joe asked about what is happening to the Frenchman's Forest Natural Area.
Mark explained that the exotic plants where removed, secondly Sabal palms
where relocated to the site. Mark also talked about the drainage
improvements to re- hydrate the wetlands and creating littoral zones along the
waterways. The pier and boardwalk has been constructed recently.
Jeff said he noticed an article in the newspaper about the developers fussing
about the cash contribution for upland preserve mitigation. He was glad to
see that Councilman Clark "stuck -up for what the Committee recommended ".
Mark furthered the conversation and spoke about what is happening with the
land bank concept.
Motion to adjourn was made and seconded. Meeting ended around 6:45 p.m.
The next meeting will be April 4, 2001.