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Landscape Beautification Advisory Board Meeting of December 4, 2008
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BOARD-AS-A-WHOLE APPOINTMENT: Discussion was held regarding the search for a professional to fill the Board-as-a-Whole appointment position.
DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN: Dan Keys noted that there is nothing new to report.
WEBSITE IMPROVEMENTS: No new activity.
GREENING OF THE GABLES: Dan Keys reported that there are no major projects going on right now. The group is donating a couple of trees to Merrick Educational Center, a public school in North Gables.
SPANISH VILLAGE/PONCE CIRCLE PARK: Maricris Longo stated that she heard there was opposition to the development in the park. George Blet stated that he has been watching this project closely and has not heard anything about any organized opposition to the project. It was noted that the next step for the project was to have a Charrette to develop the plan for the park.
MIRACLE MILE/GIRALDA STREETSCAPE: Dan Keys reported that the BID will be returning to the City Commission with an estimate on the project cost.
US #1 ISLAND #16: Dan Keys advised the board that the plants as approved in concept by the board at its November 13, 2008 meeting, have been installed on the northernmost island of US #1.
Maricris Longo, regarding Segovia Street, asked if the plans for the traffic circles had been received. Dan Keys stated that he had not, but that Albert Perez, the City’s consultant, does not have any plans yet. Maricris Longo asked about the traffic circle at Palermo Avenue and Cardena Street; if anything is known about it yet. Discussion was held by the board on the funding for traffic circles and where the money is coming from. Dan Keys noted that funding comes from several places including City funds, road tax funds, and development funds. He advised that the Traffic Advisory Board is charged with making recommendations on these circles and there is a long process that they go through before a circle is fully approved. Discussion was held regarding how to request that the landscape plans for traffic circles be brought before the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board before the final approval is made. George Blet moved to “Recommend that the Public Works Department, as a policy, forward design plans for street calming devices as an agenda item of the Landscape Beautification Advisory Board.” The motion was seconded by Linda Lawrence, voted upon and adopted with a unanimous vote.
Discussion was held regarding the January meeting date. Members agreed to meet on January 8, 2009.
BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS: Board members were reminded that nominations for Beautification Awards are due on or before December 31, 2008.
BOARD ITEM/CITY COMMISSION UPDATE: No new items.
CITY PROJECTS UPDATE: No new items.
Guest, Gilda Moreno introduced herself to the board advising that she had recently moved into Coral Gables and is very interested in becoming involved. She was welcomed by the board who inquired as to her credentials and whether she could be considered for the Board-as-a-Whole appointment. Gilda Moreno stated that she would be happy to provide her resume for the board to consider.