HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EAB 110498Beautification and Environmental Committee
Summary Notes
Wednesday, November 4, 1998
Susan Wood called the meeting to order at 5:40 P.M. The following members were
in attendance: Jeff Renault, Joe Royals, Sally Wilks, Connie Premuroso, and Audrey
Marton, Baqir Murtaza Syed, and Bettie Marks. City Council Liaison David Clark and
City Staff Liaison Mark Hendrickson were present.
The minutes for August 5, 1998 were approved.
Councilman Clark addressed the Committee briefly stating that the City Council is
still very satisfied with the work the Committee is doing.
Staff Liaison Mark Hendrickson reported on the Florida Trails and Greenways
Conference he attended. Concluding that Palm Beach Gardens is far more
advanced in greenways than many other cities in the state. Also, Mark described his
work as a member of the Palm Beach County Environmentally Sensitive Lands
Acquisition Selection Committee. He explains that the County is trying to put
another bond referendum together, to vote on next year, for more monies to
purchase environmentally sensitive lands. There is a lot of land that could be
acquired in Palm Beach Gardens. He points out to the Committee using a map of
the area all the areas all ready purchased. Councilman Clark asked what the
justification was to include the western half of Frenchman's Forest area in the new
environmental lands list. Mark recalled two reasons. The first was basically to
increase the size of the original tract and secondly to protect some remaining habitat
that the cows have not disturbed. He continued to explain about the corridors that
run through the City, and how the large isolated parcels have a huge educational
value.
Councilman Clark talks to the Committee about the Golf Digest project and the
parkway discussions. David and Mark both talked to the Committee about the map
of the City that showed the current and future parkways, greenways and corridors
that tie the whole City together with planned open space.
Old Business: Susan states that Arbor Day is scheduled for November 17, 1998.
Mark states that City Council will proclaim November 17 Arbor Day at their
November 5, 1998 meeting. Mark goes on to say he could not coordinate the Arbor
Day tree planting on Fairchild Gardens Avenue as first requested by the Committee,
but as a back -up plan an Oak tree will be planted on Ironwood Drive. He requested
as many Committee members as possible to come out for the celebration. The
Committee picked 10 a.m. to meet. Mark will remind the members closer to the
date.
Mark announced that the City did receive the grant from Beautiful Palm Beaches to
landscape Alternate A1A.
The Committee continues to request City maintenance to remove the weeds that
grow up within the cracks of the sidewalks and concrete bull -nose medians all
around the City, especially along lengths of Burns Road and PGA Boulevard.
A question was asked about the widening of Burns Road east of Alternate A1A.
David and Mark addressed what they knew of the timing of those improvements.
Mark expanded the conversation to include a issue being raised at City Council with
the Oaks Center, which is up for approval at their next meeting, because it affects
the buffer along Burns Road.
Susan goes to New Business by asking about having a field trip for December to
review the projects for the next Beautification Award, but more questions are
brought up about the weed conditions west of the Turnpike on Northlake Boulevard
and the trash (cigarette butts) within the streets. Susan states the next award will be
for a residential project. Sally states that they had visited a bunch of places, and
why does' t the Committee just pick one of those. Mark stated that he thought the
presentation went well for Golden Bear Plaza. He did hear back from Mr. Nedvins,
who manages the plaza and received the award. Mr. Nedvins remarked that a
plaque would have been nicer than the paper certificate.
Mark begins the discussion about the status of the Environmental Award. He states
that City Manager Bobbie Herakovich's comments were to make the award very
specific, and to have specific criteria for the subject. The Committee members and
Mark discussed ideas, but decided to table the discussion until the next meeting so
the members could think about it over the next month.
Mark asked the Committee members to come back with information about the cost
of a plaque.
Mark explained to the Committee that Public Works is not going to have City
Nursery much longer because of the Golf Digest project. If the Committee wants to
have a bigger Arbor Day celebration in 1999 or a beautification project, there will
need to be a budget for it. The Committee needs to organize a budget request for
review and approval by the City Manager and City Council. Joe Royals agreed that
the Committee needs to have priority of projects and have a budget for them. Susan
recaps the talk that they will table the budget, cost of awards and T -shirts to the next
meeting and everyone should come with the intent on having a long two hour
meeting.
The next meeting will be December 2, 1998. Adjournment at 7:20 PM.
Beautification and Environmental Committee
199 Goals
Traditional Goals:
• To follow the established duties as outlined in Division 2, entitled
Beautification and Environmental Committee, of the City's Code of
Ordinances.
• Support the City's yearly recertification of Tree City USA designation,
including the Arbor Day celebration.
• Support the City's annual clean -up day, including the Earth Day celebration.
• To complete special assignments as directed by City Council or City Manager.
• To coordinate the Beautification Awards.
Proposed New Goals:
• To monitor the installation progress of the City gateway signs.
• To establish a new Environmental Awards program.
• To submit a 1999 -2000 budget.
Beautification and Environmental Committee
Calendar - 1999
January 6:
Regular meeting
February 3:
Regular Meeting
March 3:
Regular meeting
April 7:
Regular meeting
April - --
Beautiful Palm Beaches Cleanup
May 5:
Regular meeting
June 2:
Regular meeting
July 7:
Regular meeting
August 4:
Regular meeting
September 1:
Regular meeting
October 6:
Regular meeting
November 3:
Regular meeting
November 19:
Proclaim Arbor Day and tree planting ceremony
December 1:
Regular meeting