MORGANTOWN BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

 

                                                            December 21, 2005

 

 

Attendees:  Ralph Larue, Kara Hurst, Marchetta Maupin, Marilyn Bowers, Sandy Poulson, Bill MacDonald, Don Spencer, Donna Ford-Werntz

 

South University Islands

 

The charge of the commission was to come up with a plan for the islands that we wanted to see come to fruition.  We previously agreed to have some kind of landscaping.  We agreed that the longest island is the best option for providing a suitable “entry” into Morgantown.  The 2 smaller islands wouldn’t provide much room for such landscaping.  Once we submit the plan, the Dept. of Transportation (DOT) will review through their office in Charleston.  We must address their “line of sight” issues.  We will recommend that trees be located in the center of each island with grass only on the ends for facilitation of mowing and other maintenance.  We will turn over our recommendations to a landscaper firm so they might make recommendations on the type of hardscape to surround the trees.  Representatives from the Beautification Commission will meet with the landscaping firms and then submit the package to Mr. Boroff who will interact with the DOT.  Possible landscape firms are: 

 

            Penny Caldwell  who has been working at Tathums.  She has experience working with trees.

 

            Biafora’s Landscaping

 

            Greenway Landscaping (as an alternative firm)

 

Kara Hurst will handle making the contacts and getting the process moving.  Ralph and Marchetta will work with Kara.

 

Purchase of Truck for Marchetta

 

The truck, a 2006 model being purchased from Jenkins Ford is being ordered this month.

 

Membership

 

Don Spencer has a candidate from the 6th ward, Frank McGreevy (sp?) who may be interested in the filling the vacancy on the Beautification Commission.

 

Adopt A Street

 

Donna reports that her goal is to get notices in mailboxes for those groups who haven’t responded to date.  The current system works fairly well with the same issues as in the past – turn over of student groups and difficulty getting people on the phone.

 

Proud of Our Town Awards

 

Jeff Mikorski, Assistant City Manager, currently has the copy of the brochure that Chuck Penn developed.  He is reviewing it.  Marilyn Bowers and Sandy Poulson will work on this committee.  M. Bowers will get the file and talk to Jeff during the Christmas holiday.

 

Project Reports

 

Marchetta reported that she has submitted the annual report to Mr. Boroff.  He will present it to the City Council members.

 

Tree Board

 

Don Spencer reported that the revisions for the tree ordinance is scheduled to come to City Council on January 31.  He is optimistic about its approval.  He recently attended a meeting that discussed ways of obtaining funding.  He wants to assure that the Tree Board is given credit for their work in the annual report.

 

Budget for 2006

 

The budget is due by 1/31/06.  We need to identify possible projects.  We decided on the following:

 

1.                  Krepps Park pool area

2.                  South University Island project

3.                  Street Clean-up supplies

4.                  Design for future projects; e.g., entry ways such as Sabraton

 

The Commission wants a note to go to the City Council expressing concern that during the work scheduled on High Street next year they plan to replace all the trees that will have to be removed during construction.  This concern would echo the Main Street concerns expressed by Teri Cutright.

 

Kara noted that due to her work schedule she will not be able to meet on Wednesdays so our schedule needs to be reviewed.

 

Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

 

 

Sandy Poulson