BEAUTIFICATION BOARD

CITY HALL ANNEX

111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida

TUESDAY

January 9, 2007
7:00 PM

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER: The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL:

Board Members Present:

Vice Chair Martha Carroll

Member Paula Collins

Member Betty Darney

Chair Judy Hale

Member Elizabeth Mars

Member Andrea Rice

Other Present:

Council Member Leo Nicholas

Council Member Shannon Roberts (Arrived at 7:40 p.m.)

ADOPTION OF MINUTES:

Chair Hale asked for one change in the last paragraph of the December 28, 2006 Special Meeting Minutes. A motion was made by Ms. Rice and Seconded by Ms. Carroll to approve the Minutes of December 12, 2006 and December 28, 2006. Motion carried unanimously.

REPORTS: City Report: Kay McKee

Kay McKee reviewed the December City report which is attached and made part of these minutes. In addition Ms. McKee reported that the little league field was completely redone by Greenblades of Central Florida.

Ms. McKee presented the spring decoration banners and explained that the banners were scheduled to be installed next week. She encouraged the board to advise which banner the board would like installed closest to A1A.

Ms. McKee reported that she is working on Adopt-a-Palm Planting project because residents desire to adopt palm trees along the right of ways. The City would like to plant palms where space is an issue considering how development is progressing. She asked that anyone interested please contact Public Works. Ms. McKee stated that she is also looking into planting triangle palms in the medians and as a right of way tree. Triangle palms get rather large, but are not as heavy feeders as the Queen Palm. Ms. McKee explained the Adopt-a-Tree program to Mrs. Darney. Ms. McKee stated that she would like to place a Palm Tree order soon and Public Works personnel would conduct site inspections and complete line locates.

Ms. McKee reported that Mr. Gardulski took a photograph of a monarch butterfly statue on a pedestal. The statue was estimated at $500 which could be placed in one of the City’s butterfly gardens. Vice Chair Carroll inputted that the City could beautify with more than just living plants and she would like to see more infrastructures that people can touch.

Ms. McKee explained that Greenblades would be removing poinsettias and planting pintas (red and white) and geraniums around January 23rd.

Ms. McKee responded to Chair Hale that the Center Street Park Gazebo has been ordered which includes an addendum with benches.

Ms. McKee responded to Vice Chair Carroll that much sand was shoveled back onto the beach at the end of Washington Avenue and she has not seen the wood barricade down.

Mrs. Mars reported that the sidewalks were ground down near her house today to prevent tripping hazards. Ms. McKee explained that Precision Company has a trademark process and a tool that grinds the uneven sidewalk.

Ms. Rice asked about the water line in the 300 block of Harbor Drive that may have caused neighborhood driveways to sink and collapse. She inquired if this grinding process could be used for a sinking driveway. Ms. McKee responded that she and Mr. Bandish would investigate the Harbor Drive problem; however the process is mainly used for small areas.

The Board recommended that the banners with the butterflies be placed on the outside pole closest to A1A.

1. Update on Model Shuttle, Shannon Roberts.

Council Member Shannon Roberts distributed a summary report of the history of the Model Shuttle. Ms. Roberts explained that she began involvement with the model shuttle project as a resident and when she worked for NASA. At that time she had encouraged a volunteer committee however this was disbanded. She noted there were two approaches used: 1) Purchase through a contractor and 2) Utilizing volunteers. She explained that Ms. McIntire has complete documentation of all contractor quotes which ranged from $32,000 to $150,000. Ms. Roberts noted that cost was a factor in the final determination. The committee that was formed consisted of volunteers from NASA and USA. A youth project was created to help construct the replica plus donations were obtained from local businesses. Toward the end of the project the group lost its project leader because he moved out of state. Ms. Roberts informed the Board that Dennis Jenkins, NASA Engineer, had submitted his designs to the city.

Ms. Roberts continued that the Board should now think about the purpose of the new replica. Will its purpose be a landmark, a photo opportunity, or recreational opportunity? Does the city want an Orbiter in a horizontal position, or a replica with external booster tanks or a rocket garden approach? She relayed that Mr. Boucher had mentioned the Clock Tower containing “Sun, Space Sea” etched into the base.

Ms. Roberts explained the board must consider the next steps as 1) Create the model shuttle as part of the new city complex design. 2) Create a volunteer group or 3) Recommend the model shuttle be installed through a contractor.

Chair Hale asked who would establish and lead the volunteer group. Ms. Roberts responded that she could ask the space community for involvement. Mr. Nicholas noted that the original model shuttle was built and donated from one individual and he felt the $100,000 estimate was very expensive. Ms. Roberts advised that the City also had contributions from NASA.

Ms. Rice asked if the City has a government complex area. It was explained that the City contracted with an engineering company recently to conduct a needs assessment for the future. The government complex campus would include City Hall, Annex building, Library and Recreation campuses. Ms. Roberts asked the Board how serious do the citizens need the new city icon. The Board explained that an engineering landscape plan was created for the City Hall/Annex campus which took much time. This plan was never finalized due to the hopes of a new city facility. Chair Hale submitted that the model shuttle could be installed, picked up and moved later should the campus need to be altered. Vice Chair Carroll concurred with Chair Hale stating that the model shuttle can easily be designed to be moveable. She continued that currently there is space available for the model shuttle and should the engineers come up with other concepts, the shuttle could be worked into the new area along with the marquee. It was emphasized by the board that the City should have a city emblem or icon fronting A1A. Ms. Darney recommended changing the size of the mock shuttle to bring the price down. The Board unanimously believes that the city needs and deserves an icon representative.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Carroll and seconded by Ms. Darney to recommend to City Council that a model shuttle be constructed and placed in front of City Hall on A1A by contract services or by a volunteer group. Motion carried unanimously.

2. Maintenance of Butterfly Park Areas.

Chair Hale reported that volunteer group one had weeded the two butterfly areas and the next weeding should occur either January 27th or February 10th. The Board agreed that the next weeding would be February 10th with volunteers meeting at Veterans Park at 9 a.m. Ms. McKee noted her appreciation to the board for their efforts.

3. Beautification Award Signs

A) Sign Examples

B) Check-Out Policy

Chair Hale distributed an example of an award sign made of corrugated plastic. She reported that she spoke with a gentleman at Go Signs who said the previous sign cost was $75 a piece. Chair Hale asked Ms. McKee to investigate if there were any past records of the amount paid for past signs. Chair Hale reported that Go Signs stated that corrugated plastic material was not created for long term use. Chair Hale reported that Go Signs has a PVC type sign about ¼ inches thick and the material is durable. However, if Go Signs were installing the added poles, the cost would increase. She noted the PVC style signs at $22/sign with 2x2 posts made by Public Works. Chair Hale explained that the posts would make the sign heavier and the sign must also be hammered into the ground.

Chair Hale reported that another option is to paint the existing frames gold to match the lettering and maintain the current signs. Ms. McKee stated that she could also check with the Brevard County sign shop and request whether they could make that type of sign. She noted that the rustoleum spray paint has been used in the past and is not considered a permanent fix. Vice Chair Carroll asked if Go Signs could provide frames. Ms. Rice asked if Hometown news could write an article for residents to return the missing signs.

Chair Hale reviewed the check out policy and the signs should be returned to public works. The Board requested that the secretary provide a list at each monthly meeting of we noticed signs that have been posted for the month.

Ms. McKee explained that Public Works could repaint the frames. Vice Chair Carroll mentioned buying a durable plastic shed to store any beautification signs and items for the board.

A motion was made by Chair Hale and seconded by Mrs. Mars to make one change to the check out policy: “Return signs to designated department after they have been picked up”. The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Carroll and seconded by Ms. Rice to place an order for new “we noticed” signs and extra frames in the amount allowed by the designated budget.

The board requested updated copies of the “we noticed” criteria.

Chair Hale asked the Board if one large commercial sign could be purchased as the current sign is too small for most businesses. Ms. McKee will check into a larger sign for commercial and a larger sign for commercial holiday. A motion was made by Chair Hale and seconded by Mrs. Mars to obtain costs for a larger commercial and holiday award signs.

4. Future Beautification Board Project Ideas.

Ms. Darney reported that the Little League Field has only one white sign and requested that signage be installed for directions to the ball field. She also reported that there is no directional signage on A1A. She explained that the North West corner of the field is shrubs and in the North East corner there is no landscaping and the grass is dead. On the South West side there is clay and some palm trees. She noted this currently represents the Cape Canaveral little league field. She continued that other cities are coming here to play and it needs to be spruced up to make it more enticing for visitors. Vice Chair Carroll encouraged the board to consider the Little League Field their next project. Ms. Rice stated that the students can volunteer to look at the park and the City can show its pride through this park. Ms. McKee reminded that anything pertaining to parks should be addressed through Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Hanson. She also reminded the board to take into consideration security for children, visibility and foot traffic.

Mrs. Mars noted her continued interest in the placement of a Clock Tower.

Ms. Rice reported that she was working with students at Cape View.

Vice Chair Carroll stated that she would like to see more statues and sculptures.

Chair Hale stated that a date needs to be set for Cape View weeding. Ms. Rice replied that she would report back to the board after their next meeting.

Vice Chair Carroll announced that the city looked beautiful this Christmas.

Chair Hale requested that Ms. McKee inquire into Arbor Day banners in honor of our City being a Tree City USA. Ms. McKee reported that the City of Cape Canaveral once again had been recognized as a Tree City USA.

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 9 p.m.

________________________________
Judy Hale, Chairperson

________________________________
Virginia Haas, Assistant City Clerk