BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION

MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007

4:30 PM

Attendees: Kara Hurst, Sandy Poulson, Beege Bowers, Marchetta Maupin, Neva Gocke, Ann Cumming, Don Spencer; Guests Bryan (working with Marchetta) and Bill Marquette from the Morgantown Library.

Mintues of the April meeting were reviewed and approved. There was no meeting in May, 2007.

OLD BUSINESS:

A.        Mountaineer Heritage Park – Kara attended the MHP committee meeting. WVU has assumed the role of director of things in that park. The committee presented an updated version of their plan. They are planning on a line of flags for all the countries represented by students at WVU. They also propose lights to illuminate these flags. Also there is a proposed walk of seniors that will be accomplished by the purchase of bricks with seniors’ names. At this point they do not have funding for these projects. Kara intends to represent the Beautification Commission at their future meetings an pass along to them our concerns.

B.        Airport – tree pruning and rock installation: Kara will contact the Airport to see what schedule is best for them and tell Biafora’s to move ahead with the rock installation. In her Tree Board report, Ann told us that someone on the board has submitted a bid to do the pruning at the airport. The Commission agreed to support this person to move ahead with the pruning but we do not support the work monetarily. We believe the airport has received some grant money and they should be responsible for paying for this work.

C.        Krepps Pool House Landscaping Status: Mark Wise of BOPARC told Marchetta that the work was approved and Biafora’s should contact Ralph Larue to schedule the work. Kara will relay this information to Biafora’s.

D.        Pubic Works Facility Exterior Improvements: There has been some work done to clean up and organize the equipment on this site. The issue of repair and maintenance of the fence is still unsettled so far.

NEW BUSINESS:

A.        Library Property Design Issues: Mr. Marquette circulated pictures of the library and the Garlow House. In preparation of an October 1 meeting being hosted by the Morgantown Library, their Board would like to make some changes. The trees in front of the library have become overgrown and totally obscure the name of the library making it difficult for visitors to find them. In addition, the trees are quite messy to maintain. They are considering installing large planters in place of the trees. In addition, some of the brick and the concrete need repaired. They currently have no funds earmarked but when plans are finalized, they will be submitted to the Board of Trustees. The Commission agreed that we could make recommendations with regard to plants and containers but we believe a design firm needs to do the final rendering. The Tree Board will contact the Tree Director who is Dan Boroff, to recommend that the current trees be removed. With regard to the overgrown trees at the Garlow House, it was agreed that they need aggressive pruning. It was recommended that the middle of the three be removed and the other two pruned. Kara and Ann will get a letter to Mr. Marquette in the next 10 days with this recommendation. The Board also agreed to have Marchetta help the Library with dressing up the area for their October event.

B.        Rescheduling Planning Session for Beautification Objectives: We agreed to meet on Saturday, July 21 from 9a.m.-Noon. Marchetta will check on a location and let us know. Ann will meet with Bill and Kara before that meeting.

C.        Status of Vacant Lots: With regard to the lot across from the Hotel Morgan, Kara will contact Jerry who was to send a letter to the City requesting that they enforce any laws on the books with regard to maintenance of privately-owned property . The Commission received a letter from someone recommending that we might put some planters on the street in front of the lot to detract from it’s appearance. This letter ended up with the City Engineer who felt it wasn’t a problem to do that. We don’t know the current status. It might be helpful if we could find out how other cities deal with vacant lots.

D.        Walnut Street Beautification: A design firm has submitted a plan. Don Spencer didn’t know the name so Marchetta will find out for us. Don did ask them to meet with the Commission before any work is done. Someone is coming to our July 25 meeting.

E.        Gravel Clean up: We are asking the city to do a better job of clean up. It was noted that on Beechurst between 5^th and 6^th streets, there is quite a bit of gravel on the sidewalk that needs cleaned up. Kara or Bill will send a note to Mr. Boroff regarding this issue.

F.        Reappointment of Commissioners and Vacancies: We have a vacancy with the recent resignation of Frank McGreevy and the positions of Bill, Sandy and Beege are due to expire. Sandy and Beege agreed to continue to serve.

ADOPT-A-STREET:

 Donna was not present – no report.

TREE BOARD REPORT:

Ann Cumming submitted copies to Marchetta for the file. She did say that Arbor Day will be in September. They are asking for funds from the Beautification Commission for 4 trees to be planted that day. Three locations on Walnut – 221, 228 and 240 and 224 Pleasant Street all have dead trees that need replaced. Cost will not exceed $1500.00. Kara or Bill will talk to Jeff to determine if the money is available but the Commission does support this re-planting effort. A Tree Board representative will meet with the Suncrest Neighborhood Assoc. in August to talk about using trees in storm water control. They are putting information on the web regarding hemlock disease.

PROUD OF OUR TOWN AWARDS:

Sandy reported that a revised certificate has sent to Med Express with wording that they requested. She also nominated the house at 1361 Anderson to be selected as a good example of new and improved landscaping that benefits their neighborhood. She will contact them and work with the Dominion Post to get some pictures and an article.

PROJECTS REPORT :

Marchetta’s report will be on file with the minutes.

Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.