Title
Landscape Beautification Advisory Board meeting of June 7, 2007
Body
GREENING OF THE GABLES: Gloria Burns, Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation explained what the Greening of the Gables project encompasses. This project is a part of the Clinton Global Initiative to replace trees lost in hurricanes Katrina and Wilma and to identify areas within the City needing assistance. The board of volunteers met with the City regarding a few projects and will meet again to determine what projects will be undertaken. Funding is normally split between donations received by the Foundation and City funds. Discussion was held regarding funding and donations and it was decided that the private and public commitments of funds would be discussed at the Sept. 6th meeting. Board members asked that Dan Keys keep them apprised as to any progress made on selection of projects.
DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN: No new updates.
WEBSITE CONTENT: Joanna Lombard reported to the board the various findings she discovered while on the City website. It was noted that key words such as; tree, landscape, green, lawn, yards, swale, or plants, should bring a website user to a page that displays helpful information for residents, links to appropriate websites, and informs them of the City's Beautification Awards, including how to nominate a property. The need for the website to be user friendly is paramount. Members would like to invite a representative from the IT Dept. to attend the September meeting to discuss their concerns and ideas.
BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS: Maricris Longo submitted the website content to be posted with the Beautification Award information. The document was discussed and edited by board members. Maricris will update the document before forwarding it to Dan Keys. Maricris met with the editor of "The City Beautiful" magazine who is interested in including an article regarding the Beautification Awards in the next issue. The board noted that the website needs to have the key word 'awards' link more directly to the Beautification Award program and articles regarding the awards program in E-News periodically, especially 30 days before the deadline for nominations. Articles should include a link directly to the nomination form.
BOARD ITEM/CITY COMMISSION UPDATE: None
CITY PROJECTS UPDATE: None
BOARD REQUESTS/INQUIRIES:
A photograph be included on the website article regarding the Ponce de Leon Blvd. project.
What has happened with the Art in Public Places ordinance.
Have the sculptures that were mentioned before had been placed.
BOARD-AS-A-WHOLE APPOINTMENT: Barbara Katzen nominated Joanna Lombard to serve on the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board as the Board-As-A-Whole member for the next two years. Maricris Longo seconded her nomination which was followed by a unanimous vote to approve.