BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

4:30 pm – Public Service Bldg.

Attendance:  Kara Hurst, Marchetta Maupin, Marilyn Bowers, Sandy Poulson, Annette Tanner, Jerry Steketee, Anne Cumming, David Burnett, Neva Gocke,  Julie Lattanzi, Bill Macdonald, Don Spencer, Donna Ford-Werntz.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1.       Marina Landscaping:  No further information.  At this time Beautification will assume responsibility for future  planting in this area until otherwise informed by the city.  This will be a 2008 budget item for labor and materials.

2.       Library  Property:  Beautification chairman has not talked to S. Turner at the Library about removing the center tree on the property adjacent to the library.  According to Tree Board representatives this kind of work can be done at any time throughout the year.

3.       Spregar Lot:  Beautification chair talked to Main Street Morgantown office – MSM has given the Spregar family a written contract to lease the property. At this point MSM is waiting for the contract/lease to be signed and returned.  The Beautification Com. will wait to hear from MSM.  MSM will take care of liability insurance as it relates to the use of the property.  This is something to be considered as a project in 2008.  Discussion of how the project could be pursued included understanding that the site cannot be called a park as that would put the site  under the direction of BOPARC.  If considered a pedestrian “connector” then Beautification could serve as a consultant to MSM with regard to design.  It is recommended that any upgrades to the property be easily reversible as it will be a leased property.

4.        Letter to City manager regarding Properties in Suncrest:  Fourth Ward Rep. has a draft letter expressing concerns related to health and safety on properties adjacent to public right-of-ways. Before sending the letter to the city manager and city council Mr. Steketee also wants to clear the language with the city attorney before it goes beyond the commission.  The  city Code Enforcement office can only go on property if there’s a complaint or if it’s on a public right of way.  The commission is interested in evaluating the right-of-way corridor that is adjacent to the east side of Suncrest Middle School to create a pedestrian corridor that connects the adjacent Suncrest neighborhoods to the Koontz Avenue commercial area. Mr. Steketee (4th ward) will bring a final letter to the January meeting

5.       Shoes on the Wires:  Don Spencer inquired about this at a City Council Meeting to see how this could be addressed?  No solution was given.  The City would have to contract with Allegheny Power.  The Commission will continue to bring this issue to the attention of Council if conditions worsen.

ADOPT-A-STREET – Donna Werntz (3rd ward) reported that 37 groups were signed up in 2007 with about ˝ reporting a clean-up during the year.  She has talked to Bill Rumble of the City who wants to try once a year to mail a renewal form to the groups.  Mrs. Werntz understands that Mr. Rumble will ask the groups to report to him.  Donna would remain as an information person and negotiator for new groups.  It was suggested that the South Hills Neighborhood Asoc. consider adopting White Ave.  Mrs. Werntz will follow up on the adoption of White Ave..

TREE BOARD:   The tree board did not have a  meeting this month.  They are re-applying for Tree City USA.   Anne Cumming will talk with Jeff Mycorski about this as well as the Home Depot Grants (these grants are presented a couple of times a year to large city and small city applicant winners).  More information about the application for, and use of these grants will be provided at the January Beautification Commission meeting. It was suggested that this may be a way to partner with MSM for the provision of trees in the downtown area. Kara will pass this information on to the Main Street Morgantown Design committee.  Don Spencer thought that the City might be eligible to apply as well. 

Law School Hill:  Facilities Manager at WVU was the suggested recipient of a letter from the tree board about the preservation and significance of trees on campus. It will need to be reviewed by the city manager before it is sent.

PROUD OF OUR TOWN AWARDS:  Sandy Poulson will contact the Dominion Post to get them information regarding triangle volunteers.  Don suggested she meet with Jerry Furrari as a contact with the DP. 

BEAUTIFICATION STAFF REPORT:  Marchetta is working on the annual report.  The baskets have increased from 50 to 102 this year.  Due to bad weather, decorating day for Master Gardener volunteers was basically canceled. Marchetta has been working on the holiday baskets alone. 

 

2008  PLANNING SESSION:

Projects proposed:

Wiles Hill School landscaping:  It was noted that this is BOPARC’s area but we can recommend landscaping.

Pedestrian Safety Board is a new group looking for streets that are strategic.

Ward 2 – Islands on Arch Street need attention.  Marchetta noted that there was an existing plan and she will look for it.

Ward 5 – It was suggested that we come up with a planting plan for the “Beauty Spot” on Richwood.  This land was donated years ago by a family and there used to be a sign designating it.  The commission and staff can work with the Neighborhood Association to accomplish this.

Ward 7 – Indian Park on Collins Ferry Rd was suggested as a landscaping project but it was noted that this is also under the purview of BOPARC.

Land on Aspen that could possibly be developed – the Suncrest Neighborhood Assoc. has a plan for this and is waiting for the MUB work to be completed before they present it.

Better lighting on Collins Ferry Rd. was suggested.  Don Spencer will take this to Council.

Ward 4 – Suggested that there be an 8th street pedestrian connector that would go over the hill at Grant St. and end up behind the Blaney House.  Don Spencer says the City is working on that now.

Aspen area for a possible park is an area that the Suncrest Neighborhood Assoc. is looking at. Status: waiting for MUB to complete their work before proceeding with their ideas.

Krepps Pavillion.  There is a trail that dead ends at the Econolodge.  This could be a pedestrian connector.  Could work with the dog park that BOPARC is working on.

3rd Ward – Spregar Lot on High St. – planting and edging around this area. 

Trees along the docks at Ruby McQuain park.

2nd ward – Park on King Street

Break down of the suggestions into specific areas:

Lead Role:

1)      South Middle Corridor

2)      Spregar Lot

3)      Public Works Exterior

4)      Sabraton Gateway

Advocacy Role:

1)      Rail trail connectors

2)      Finish Wall Street – walk through to go to trail

3)      Work with BOPARC on Krepps Park pathway

4)      Work with Pedestrian Safety Board and Transportation Committee for related projects.

Cooperative Role:

Work with the neighborhood association in the 5th ward to work on the “Beauty Spot”.

                                          Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.