Hold on. I call this beautifification and tree board meeting to order. It is Thursday, December 4th, 2025 at 5:03 p.m. Uh the uh first order of business is invocation. If we'll all rise, please.
Dear heavenly father, thank you for this day. Thank you for the rain that we needed so badly. I ask you to keep everyone safe on the roads and and to continue to bless our city the way that you have. Help us to uh have discernment and wisdom in our decisions that we make tonight. Uh that it would go to honor
our citizens and glorify you. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> And then pledge allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Um, approval of the minutes and I did not get a chance. I I don't know that we got these ahead of time. So, if we can take just a couple of minutes to And if
we did, I missed it. >> Yeah, we got them ahead of time. >> We did. >> I'm the one who missed it then. >> Apologies. Cut. Excuse me. Any questions or corrections.
>> No, I move to approve the minutes. >> I actually have one where it's >> stop moving. >> Sorry. On the back of the second page at the bottom where it says Miss Adams stated that last year they budgeted 190,000 and completed 50,000 worth of
landscaping. I don't think we had a budget of 190. >> I think you were saying maybe we accomplished what might have been 190. I don't know. No, that's not what I was saying. 50. We spent 10, but it was well over a $50,000 job. I think that's
>> it would have been more than that if hired a commercial company to put in what we put in. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we just need to correct that that it might have been it was probably $50,000 worth and we spent. >> Right. >> There you go. >> Good catch. >> Was it on page two? You said
>> uh page four of nine. If you're looking at the bottom of each page, >> y >> four lines up on the left hand side. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Okay.
I move to correct that and then accept the minutes. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Any other discuss? I guess we should have waited for that for discussion, but anyway. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I
>> No opposed. Passes unanimously. >> All right. So, additions and deletions of our regular agenda. And I I think what we're establishing here tonight is that we'll be moving to um at the back
of the uh minutes, we're we're moving to the format of we're going to keep this going every month and be able to update it, complete it, um table it, that sort of thing. So, I'm not real. This is a little bit
confusing to me, so forgive me. Um, are we at Okay, that's my fault. So, we're doing additions or deletions and then we're approving the regular agenda, which is that >> yes >> matrix that I just Okay, apologies.
>> Um, okay. So, anything else that we want to add to the agenda that is not on that we're not putting onto the matrix. >> So, you're saying the chart here, are there any headings or items that we need
to add to the chart to make it complete? So the addition to and deletions of the regular agenda is if there's anyone on the board that would like to add an item or remove an item off of the agenda separate from the priority list.
>> How about Arbor Day annual Arbor Day planning? >> Okay. So you want to add that to the agenda tonight's agenda? Yes. Okay. Okay. >> Yes. >> Whenever I get time I'll talk about that briefly. So, we're going to add that to tonight's
agenda under guess we can put it um after on the regular agenda um and we'll do it 3D from the regular agenda to this the appropriate place. Sorry, all
this whole format is different. So, I'm a little uh behind. Is this where we would talk about like the mural wall um and some of the other things that we had kind of outstanding from prior meetings?
>> You can add that to the agenda. part of your additions. Okay. To the >> So, I would like to add um to get an update on the mural wall and then also an update on the century link and I'm not sure >> which I got something. >> Okay.
>> Okay. And we can add that. And so we'll do the arbor day for three say 3D >> right >> and then we'll do 3D will be the arbor day and
then we'll do E 3E as the knee wall and F as the sentry link. So, >> okay. And so, anything that we need to bring up that's not on the agenda needs
to be added at this point. >> Yes. And then we'll just keep adding it to the regular agenda and then you all we will approve the regular agenda with the additions that >> remain. So, the um sign by Tesla that needs to be added and then I just have a small discussion. So, I guess we need to
add it on the highway 90 medians. So G will be the Tesla signage and H will be the highway 90 medians. >> Okay. >> And then you all can approve >> the addition >> the reg addition the regular agenda with the Yes, you would need to make a motion
for the additions to the regular agenda. >> Okay. Can I also add um even though it's not necessarily under our purview, but the string lights on Baldwin, >> that'll be I Okay, that'll be I Okay, anything else?
All right. Uh can I get a motion? Motion to approve >> to approve the additions to the agenda. >> I'll second. Okay. >> All in favor? I. >> No opposed.
>> Okay. And then we have uh C designated tree beautifification fund where businesses and individuals can donate towards projects. Um I did not get very far with my Canva design. I also felt like I needed to get
a little clarification. Um, if I reme remember correctly, like if I give $50, the city matches the $50 up to $5,000. Is that what we had talked about? >> Correct. >> Okay. And did we determine if it was
taxdeductible? >> It is tax deductible. I did find that out. And so I drafted up a form for you all and Kobe did have a chance to look at it as well. Um, and so if you guys just want to look at this draft form that we can um, circulate to anyone that
wants to donate. I think we discussed if there's any other projects that you would like more specified on here, but I just put a few projects that I knew that you guys wanted to do. And then an area for like um, specific or general beautifification fund. And then I also
put the GL on there. And this is tax deductible under a section A. And so if we leave that other project specified, would we need to clarify that that would be subject to approval
by the city? So somebody doesn't just make a suggestion and now we're obligated to do something or there might not be enough funds in there for that. If they wanted to do a pixel tree and they gave a $100, right? Like that
wouldn't work. So, is there some way that we can kind of narrow that to say subject to city approval or another suggest any other suggestions for dealing with that? This was actually brought up in the last meeting that um I forget how it was worded, but that it
would be stated on this that it would >> I don't remember I forgot how you worded it, but >> I thought it was they were going to try to do whatever project that they wanted it to go to, but if they needed those funds to finish another project.
>> So, I believe I've got my eggs here from last meeting. Um the conversation was if they for instance wanted to do a specific project like a pixel tree or a fountain and that's what they indicated their donation to go towards and that this year maybe we
>> aren't going to be able to do that then we would still take that money that they have allotted for that and that's what that GL number is associated with to push it forward into >> that nextud year's budget orever to make
sure that the the people that want to donate to a specific project. They can't I mean they could essentially I we can put in here that any of these projects must be approved for >> I was going to say maybe on the other put other approved projects and then
that way it would alleviate what she's talking about. >> Yeah. Okay. I can definitely make that change. would it do to also add a caveat that you know we will try to use the funds for the project you selected but you're not guaranteed you know in some
way just a little like we'll we'll do our best but um if the project doesn't go through and >> I think so to cover ourselves because if if it's not stated on here that if the project doesn't go through that you know we want them to know that it
automatically will go into this other approved project >> still be used for something better. >> If it's not stated, then they can come back and say, "Well, you didn't do that project. I want my money back." Or, you know, it should still be set aside for when it happens in 10 years. But, you know, >> tell them that afterward they get their check to
>> right um some caveat like that where it's like >> if you're donating, you're donating to to the >> to the tree discretion, right? Maybe it's something that we can, you know, when it comes time to budget say, "Okay, here were the donations that
we were not able to apply x number of dollars. Where do we want to apply that?" Yeah. >> Would that sound reasonable? >> Yeah. >> Just so people set expectations up ahead back if the project, you know, if you're donating, you're donating for a good
cause. We'll try and get it where it's supposed to go or where you want it to go, but you're donating for city beautifification. So, >> yeah, >> you got to do that. >> Some of the projects a high dollar. You know, they give $100 for $10,000
project, you know, it might not happen and they got to understand that >> and we can put that somewhere else if comes to it. >> Basically, if project is not approved, the monies will be used in the general fund >> for city beautifification. Mhm. The general fund for city abusation.
>> I was going to say no, not the general fund. Not >> the general fund for >> disappears. >> It disappears. >> The general piece. >> Okay. All right. I'll make those changes in my so >> Okay.
>> And worded nicely. >> Yeah. >> Don't tell them to calm down. >> Yeah. In the history of the world, telling them to calm down not work. >> No. >> Okay. All right. And then I will um I'll do better on my my Canva and I'll bring
a a digital flyer or printed flyer with a digital format for our next meeting now that I know exactly what we're working with. Any other comments on the tree beautifification fund? >> No.
>> All right. Um Mike, talk to us uh 3D on Arbor Day, please. >> Yeah, I want to bring it up because it's coming up fast. So, normally I have Arbor Day celebration on the third Friday in January, and the mayor reads a proclamation. So, I guess we'll have to try to get on his calendar.
>> Ariel Su, the county forester, has already bought a long leaf pine and a live oak big ones. We have to decide, you know, which one do we want to use for the actual Arbor Day. We'll still plant them both. Uh, so we can vote on
it or whatever. Then the other thing I need to ask is we always do a plaque and that's where it costs around 150 bucks and that's that this year it'll just like last year Arbor Day 2026.
We used to do it in conjunction with Shiakqua member but now that's a separate deal. We'll help them if they need help getting a tree or something, but >> prices went up and we get Glenco Memorials Andrew to do it and they do other things for the
>> Mhm. >> And so I I guess I don't be able to get them. >> So you you're saying a plaque or you talking about like a ground marker? >> Ground marker. We got a bunch of them out. >> Yeah, I've seen them. >> I got to go out there and see if we got 2025 installed. I got to walk because that was right when Scott was leaving
>> and I don't know if he ever got that installed. I need to go look over by on your side of the lake. >> So, I don't know who you can approve that, you know, but it's going to be around 150 bucks just, you know, for granite stone. We try to get them in the ground so somebody can't steal them easily. And so far, I don't think we've
lost a one. I don't think over last 15 years. >> Several of them out there. So, >> yeah. So, I don't know if that's an issue getting the money for that. >> Okay. I'll check into it and see where we can pull that >> because it's coming up. You know, we we'll have one more meeting, I guess,
right before that. >> Do lawnmowers go over them? >> Yes, we put them so they can go right over. >> So, I don't know if you want to vote on what tree you want to use. The long leaf for the live oak >> um >> for the marker.
>> So, were we putting them both in Shipley Park? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Because we lost some, you know, this last year for the drought, but we have to pick one for the plaque. The other one just goes where we want. >> What did we do last year? >> We did a oak uh either nut all or did
Yeah, nut. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The where the long leafs have been doing the best is over there by the Presbyterian church. They survived over there where over on the other side where the bat house on southeast corner we've
had the most trouble with survival. >> Yeah. But I think you were saying that you didn't think those were planted properly, too. >> Yeah, there was I found a couple that were not planted properly when I was over there. >> Yeah, sometimes there's root bomb probably, but it don't really matter. Whatever you guys want. I don't know if
we've ever did a long leaf as a day. >> I'm good. >> So, maybe we should do I don't think we've ever did a plaque for long leaf. Have we not? >> I don't think so. >> I'm good with that. >> Okay. And I haven't heard from Chicago. I don't know if they're honoring somebody.
Do we need to note any specific location for you or do >> No, I usually get with whoever's in charge you because we have to look at power lines and stuff to where we put it. I don't know who that will be now. I used to get with me. >> You okay? >> Yeah. I'll I'll go out there and look
and see where >> I'll get with you sometime before we plan it. We can go out there, pick a spot if that's all right with you. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's fine. >> Sounds good. >> All right. All right. Uh 3E kneew wall.
I think we were looking at painting it a moss green. Were you checking with >> I was going to check with um F dot and I have not talked to them about that yet. Um I did check with them on some of the
signage, but we'll talk about that on the >> Okay. Next one. >> Okay. All right. um 3F the Century Link Tower. Mike, did you get some >> Well, I tried I worked on for about hour and a half this afternoon trying to get
a hold of somebody that was in charge of that and I I called up one guy said, "Well, give me your CEO moving." He wouldn't do that. But, uh just kidding. But any anyway, they gave me this this email address, real estate system access
request lummen.com. So, I wrote a note saying about we want to I said I've been in talk with the local Centry Link Lumen guy. We want to see about getting that tower removed. It gets hit by lightning quite frequently. It's an old tower.
We're worried about pedestrians. I put in a little bit of excitement in there, you know, hope hopefully because, you know, they don't like lawsuits. So, hopefully they'll respond, but I'm thinking about sending the email to the city. I guess that would be to you if
you wanted to give it to you guys because the more pressure that we can email, >> right? That's a good idea. >> What's the email address? >> Real. This is all one word. >> Real estate system
access requests >> singular or plural? >> Plural at lumen.com. That's all one word. And I sent it so it worked. >> Okay. But that's Yeah. And >> it's system singular. >> Yes.
>> Okay. >> And I couldn't think of that guy's name. I was going to say Bill George Sue. You know, the one I talked to over there. >> I thought that that was Beverly Clark's son that bought that that has that now. Did you not say that? >> About what?
>> This old Centry Link building. >> Oh, I don't know. The guys There's one guy that shows up there. >> Okay. Uh I told on the email said Baldwin Street Definiac Springs, you know, I gave him a little bit. I didn't give him an exact number, but I said it's the old Central Link Lumen building. So, we'll see. That was just
this afternoon. So, we'll see if we get any response. But if a couple other people want to email, there was no name. It was just that at least I got somebody that finally gave me, >> you know. >> Yeah. Andrew, would you mind since you have a nice title to follow your name?
Yeah, >> I'll follow up with him and see if I can >> find out anything. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Good. Good. >> That'll be good. >> We need to get something going. >> Okay. Uh 3G Tesla sign. >> You were going to find out, I think, if
if um we could even put it there. That was the main thing before we got any went any further. >> Yeah. So, that small we can. >> Okay. >> Because, you know, the dimensions were smaller. We can put it there. Um, and I know in an email we were talking
about, you know, possible trains and that kind of stuff for the decorations. Um, but we are trying to get signs put in on 90 and that all all over the city. >> Of course, we want them all to match.
Um, I talked to DOT yesterday and um, got some specs from them of what we are allowed to put on the DOT rideways so that we can make sure everything's the correct size and that way everything matches. So, I'm
still in the process of getting that. >> Okay. So, um, Kobe had emailed uh, me and Scenic Walton and who there was another organization out >> TDC. >> That was it. TDC. So, um, we have a Zoom
scheduled for the second week in January to talk about wayfinding signs that would be consistent everywhere, including parks and everything. Um, so we've got their support and input that we're going to get started on that. >> Are we still looking at the brick layers
and all that masonary? We're changing it. We said we had to find somebody because >> Yeah. So, so we're, you know, we still want them all to match. So that's why I had to get with DOT to see what materials and >> size and all that stuff that we were allowed to use on rideway. So everything
kind of matches and goes with everything. >> But now we're talking about two different >> This isn't going to match the sign that Tesla because that's the decorative downtown historic, you know, iron and brick. >> Right. >> DOT won't have anything to do with that. Right.
>> No. No. But we want when we do all these wayfinding signs, we want them all to, >> you know, kind of have the same, >> you know, look that way they're not mismatched all through the city. >> Yeah. I think what what we were trying
to do is yes, I know that we've all worked on this design and was going to be good, but now we're finally doing something with our wayf finding um which we've talked about for a long time and Kobe's kind of spearheading and making sure that this gets accomplished. So, I
I think to that effect, we need to put a a hold if you guys agree. Um so that they're all matching. >> Mhm. >> Whatever it is that they end up >> because they're not going to use brick on all of them. That'd be too expensive and rod iron or whatever. Well, I mean, yeah, I I don't agree with like, you
know, like I think of like all matching like all state parks are brown or all, you know, but the downtown is its own like historic, you know, even you go to Crest View, it doesn't match all of the signs that are throughout the city, you know. I just think that the downtown feel is a different feel altogether. Not
that you, you know, if you're I'm not talking about your road signs, but like welcome to Defunia, not like whenever you cross over into county and all those are the same. That's just very >> Yeah. We're not talking about road signs. We're talking about welcome to Deuniac signs, you know, downtown this
way. That's all going to be >> side of the road coming in 90 331. >> Gotcha. >> That way, you know, it'll show you to where downtown is. And then when you get down to downtown, then it tells you what's which way. >> Okay. >> I'm just picturing like the brown, you know, the
>> No, no, no, not that. >> Okay. >> Definitely not. These are these would be >> very nice. >> Very nice. tasteful. Yes, we could decorate colors to match, themes to match. Something that I had >> um specifically brought up and something that Main Street and our design
committee when you and I were serving on that, we were talking about, you know, is there a way that we can bring like the locomotive >> to broad and and I don't know if that will be if that will fly or not, but something some sort of underlying theme with colors, fonts.
>> Um Gotcha. >> Yeah. Well, I hope that can be completed in 2026. >> That's not going to happen in 2026. >> Not even the one in Tesla. We want that done though. You and me going to go at night. >> Yeah. So, so if we can if we can come up with a design that's going to be
affordable for everything, then that one would be a small project that we could get done before, you know, we go >> Okay. >> pay money for the entrances. >> Yeah, >> that would be good because been working on that a while. I want to see it done. >> Yes, I know. I know.
I'm with you. Two steps forward, one step back. Okay. Uh 3H, the Highway 90 medians. >> Okay. So, back uh whenever Kobe first came on, that was one of his things that he wanted us to look at >> and we brought it up several times and
even sort of discussion of well, we know that y'all are short-handed, you know, how can we he asked us just to look at that and there was several ideas. is I'm just sort of catching you up because I don't know if you know what was discussed about all this and um >> even doing subcontractors and
>> you know cuz I asked how does how does Destin do it? How do you know and and they hire >> landscaping crews? I was just in uh Samson and that small of a town all the way down is absolutely gorgeous. They have just >> completely weeded everything and it's a
long area and they have nothing but knockout roses completely down the center with pine straw. talking about classy I would like to see there if nothing else weed eated in heavy pine straw >> around everything that's existing
>> so that because we between Windixie and I 10 um we are going to try to do landscaping and stuff down through there also that's kind of on our plans um but we have to wait till they get done with the road construction because if we go through and do it now then they're going
to throw asphalt and everything else in That's 331. >> I know y'all are talking about 90, but that is that's kind of stuff that we're planning to try to do. So, you know, if we whether we hire somebody or do it oursself, then, you know, we'll do the
landscaping there and down through 90 to >> So, if I recall, the last the last thing that we um that was addressed on this was we didn't it was hard for us to even know what we had there because it was a lot of junk. And so, you know, weeds and
bushes that didn't need to be there. And >> I think that um Kobe was saying he was going to ask public works to at least clean it up and get out the rough stuff and just see what we have and then
decide what if any of that can or should be salvaged and then build it from there. >> Does that sound familiar at all to you? >> Madam Chair, can I >> Yes. Um, so I believe when he was here last, he had asked if I could get with
Christy Seagler and have her take some photographs and bring it before you all and then let you guys kind of mark up what you would like to see done. So I can't recall if we ever got there with the group or not. >> She did take the photographs. Um, but I
it >> I don't think that we marked up like the actual drawings to give to public works for them to say, "Okay, these need to stay and these need to go." Um, >> well, just for my public I mean, just I
did go and look and so you're you primarily have crepe myrtles >> and you primarily have um the um maybe an Indian hawthornne and a dwarf holly are like the two main bushes. Um, personally, because I just feel like we
get so caught up in it's coming or we're we're work like it's a all that needs to look 100% better is weed eating and pine straw that I mean there's a little bit of that thorny vine growing in some of the bushes, but literally if we pine
straw is just such an inexpensive bring it up. You know, it just looks so much better when you put fresh pine straw in in the fall and in the spring. I mean, I would I would just like to see it weed eated and pine straw until we could do something more elaborate or >> we can we can definitely uh
>> they were actually going to be working on the medians to mow and we'd eat those down 331 today, but of course, you know, it was raining. But >> so that is city property. I mean that city has to take care of that, huh? I I was thinking that was >> I called do cuz I called DOT to find out if that was on us because we didn't know
if we could landscape it or not because if it was DOT's then we can't mess with it. >> Right. >> So, um I had called them this week and talked to them about that and yes, it is ours. So, we can go forward and do stuff there. >> Well, that's encouraging.
>> I went through Samson and they had one guy there. That's what all he did. He was working on that. Well, and if you looked at the side of their truck, it's like pine straw. It was a pine straw company. They had I whenever I saw them, they had about eight guys and they were just going down there getting it, you know.
But, um, yeah, I mean, maybe look at it and just see because I I just weeding around the bottom of those great myrtles and just doing a thick layer of pine straw. I It'll be It'll be >> if we want to do that, right? >> It'll be a 100% improvement. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks.
>> Yes, I agree. >> Okay. uh three I string lights on Baldwin. I know that the CRA are the ones who had put that up and you may know some of the status of this because for whatever
reason they were not programmed right or something. There's like two or three strands that are they don't match the rest of the strands. Um are you does this sound familiar to you? >> Yeah. So, I had actually um went down and talked with CRA about the issue to find out what was going on cuz I knew
they weren't working. I kind of wanted them ready before Christmas, but that hasn't happened. >> Um, >> so some of the lights, the ones that are blue, just for your information, the ones that are blue do not, they have data or they have power but no data. The
ones that are white are working like they're supposed to. >> The ones that have nothing don't have power going through them. Um, those lights were purchased by somebody. I don't know. I wasn't in that. Um,
Jubilee was supposed to come in. Their RGB guy was supposed to come in and look at those and tell us what we needed, but supposedly when I called them two weeks ago, he was on a cruise ship, outfitting a cruise ship. So,
as soon as I get a chance, I don't have a whole lot of knowledge on it, but I'm going to see what I can do to try to get those fixed. We do have some string lights. Some of the lights were hoping that when we replace one strand that the other two will go because the data is
not going through that first strand. >> Would I have heard in a CRA meeting that they purchased the cheapest lights? >> Yes, >> that's what I thought. And they're talking about perhaps >> investing in some better quality.
>> Yes. So the company that I was talking about earlier with you guys, they build them also. >> Okay. >> So I'm going to try to let CRA talk to them if they want to replace them. You know, we're going to see if we can fix with what we have first so that we don't
have to put any more money into it. But if not, then guess they're going to replace it. This is just my two cents on the lights, but sometimes you can get too fancy and some classic clear then we wouldn't be worrying with this. All the different colors, you know what I mean? Just the
classic a little bit larger bulb and the whole squirrel thing. I am going to I have commercial grade and I live in the woods and I've had them there for years and no squirrel has ever ruined those lights. But they're classic, you know, and they were expensive. They weren't as expensive as what the CR paid on these,
but you know, the blue and the green and just classic clear. But that's my vote. Yeah, >> I'll take anything as long as it matches. Blue's not an option. It'll match. That's where I'm at. We can get over
complicated, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Uh, next on our list is the priority list. So what we'd like to do is take
the priority list the the grid that we have available to us and put so this would be our do we need to vote on this as our so each item for instance just as you you all were
talking about some of the things that you're bringing >> receptacles that are consistent establish a friends of typically park volunteer group for ongoing support partner with local schools, civic clubs, and volunteers for cleanup days. Aries and Bloom campaign and the United Way
sponsors Bourne Trails. The proposed location is near the library. Um, and then staff is has met with United Way and they're waiting on the design element and it will be brought to us. That's what we have for year one in Chipley Park. >> Okay.
>> Year two and obviously we can always change things. Year two, we have um upgraded lighting in the key areas for safety and evening use, canopy lighting in the in live oaks and other large trees. I'm adding that other large trees because I don't think it has to be live
oaks. Um create directional signage and establish a park identity branding. Um and I think that could also tie in with some of the wayfinding that we're going to be doing. uh because we're talking about making sure that all of our park
signage um it goes blends uh repair refresh walking paths with community volunteer labor and inind donations adding ADA compliant features like accessible picnic tables ramps improved restrooms safety beacons for emergency response
for DFSPD and then after that year three is the fountain the sidewalk around the lake with the bike path paths and underground wiring and the amphitheater and really the I mean the CRA's taking that
amphitheater. >> Nice. >> They're they're running with that. >> It's a deal. And I know that's just for Chipley Park, but >> so the berries and blooms is that table or are we going to try to do that in
January, February this coming year? See, normally we plant 10, 12 trees. They purchase them from the nursery out in Milton. >> But we thought this year we would just instead of using that money, we would purchase >> aas chameleas.
>> Yeah. >> Blueberries. >> Blueberries. >> You know, fruit bearing. And we might would do spend money for that instead of trees. We'll already be planting two trees for Harbor Day. >> I desperately want to make what we have better.
But we want to put we have so much in there already that's not being >> right >> tended to the crepe myrtles none have been fertilized or trimmed or they have lychen all over them. Um
I' I'd like to I'd like to see what we have really tended to because I think if we're adding to it that >> it's just added more. It's just >> Yeah. >> Except for I don't know what a Zay is y'all have, but there's no maintenance to them, is there? I mean, they're the
tree guys. There's no maintenance to >> that's keeping other plants out of them. Really? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thorn and bush. It's just maintenance. >> Now, crate myrtles, those are, you know, a nuisance almost because they just >> make more and more and more, you know, >> um, and they constantly have to be trimmed every year. So, yeah, I could
see those being a problem. But, you know, I just think of instate gardens and there's aas everywhere and it's absolutely beautiful. I feel like there should be more color that's easier and that's the whole reason I picked those is because there is no maintenance to them, you know, but that's just >> and they do well under pine trees.
>> Yeah. It's less area that you have to mow with a lawnmower, you know. I mean, it's whenever you fill those and it's a large area around the lake, you know. So, >> um >> we could clump, you know, just this spring just clump a bunch of and
pinstrong and I do them all over. So that way there's just maybe one area this year where we do have maintenance >> and I'm okay tableling it. But this was not an idea that I came up. This is one thing that I've had several people. Why does the lakeyard not have more you know it's just something that's classic here
in the south and and you know there's not very many of them. >> So I have a question. So some of my brainstorming with the Christmas lots and stuff. Some of the issues we have is people, you know, I know it's a park, but people are running
across the parks and running over the things. And I've been trying to rack my brain of how I can during Christmas time keep people not just, you know, not letting them play in the park, but you know, kind of a border on the sidewalks just to kind of keep them on the
sidewalks at night to where But if we do do bushes, that would probably help us if we did them kind of like a border on some of the sidewalks to keep people from just running, you know, off the side of the sidewalk and
keep people from driving through here, that kind of stuff. >> People are driving, >> they go down. Really? >> Mhm. Great. You'd be ticketed. >> Okay, let me throw out this idea. Let us let
us think about it. Come back with more of an idea of what it would look like. You know, just ideas of where and you know, where we might place them. And so we can all have a visual and just so we're all on the same page. if it if everyone doesn't agree or it's you know
maybe if weather permits we can meet at Shipley Park at our next meeting >> because I'd like to put something in the ground. >> Yeah. >> I want to see something done even if we planted tenatively just to get started >> right >> somewhere this this January February March somewhere in that time frame.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. So >> priority we can get that done >> and I don't know that we need to meet there personally if we have an aerial of it and we and then that's how you draw out a landscape plan you know and so you can really just get it more of an an idea because it'd be hard to walk all
the way and say this looks good. I think it looks better from an aerial being able to be like okay like a group of uh chameleas here a group of Isaiah's here you know and and well why this works here or wait this blocks the view from this building. So, if we could just have an aerial, you know, and then sort of um
because you you don't want to block anybody's view. You you know, there's there's different and we don't want to just it needs to be thought out. I get that. I just >> probably close to water. Is there some spots? We probably want to do the first planting close to where there's a whole there's a water line that goes all the
way around just outside that bottom bottom sidewalk. It goes all the way around the lake. >> So, we have water access. Yeah. Yeah. All the way >> everywhere. So, we'd want to have that, right? At least till they're established.
>> Now, something we might want to walk around is if you there's a lot that you see that needs to be addressed. >> But now, that would be because I I don't know like what's there that needs to be cut down or >> trimmed or trimmed. There was >> because we were short-handed and I don't
know what happened before me, but anyway, there was a lot of stuff that was neglected. So like Christmas lots and stuff, we couldn't even see them because limbs were hanging down. So I had crews go through and trimming trees and stuff um just recently like last
week getting everything cleaned up for Christmas reflections and stuff. So, >> and we could even do a work day on something like that because whenever it comes to pruning, um, you know, you can you can have people come out like if we go out there and say come right before spring and have a work day and get the
Girl Scouts out there, get the FFA out there. They're wanting to work. I know they help us with Main Street all the time. They get hours for that. And and speaking from at our farm, we have 1,200 trees and, you know, I feed people. We feed people. We have music and we give them the basic instructions. We teach
them what to do. But then that's how we get 1,200 trees pruned in a matter of two days is >> give all the young kids chainsaws. >> Yeah. >> Not just kid have certain ones run the chainsaws. Yeah. >> But we could probably do a a a chiffy park cleanup day, you know. >> Yeah.
>> And then and not relieve you of a lot of work. >> Help pick up the even if you have professionals or somebody knows what they're doing in pruning. There's a lot of stuff to pick up as I know in my yard. >> Easiest part is trimming. Maybe to Kim's point, let's say, let's have a cleanup day before we put the Zas in the ground.
>> So after Christmas reflections is over. >> Want to go out and look and see because it's going to be busy. >> It's going to take us realistically it's probably going to take us beginning of February toward the end of February to have all the Christmas lights down
because we're going to try to reorganize on the way out this year so that we're not >> in the same boat. in the same boat we were this year. >> Would we be able to get in there and do some work despite having a few Christmas lights still up? >> Yeah, trimming trees and stuff like that because like I say, we trimmed where all
the lights and stuff are, so it'll be out of way. But all the figurines and stuff should be up and gone before >> Yeah. picked it. Even if there are some lights in our way, we can always make a note of it and come back, >> get your >> because I know there's one one oak that
I want to address that's like on the south side of the lake that's where the sidewalk kind of dips in. It's on the in that little island there and it looks pretty rough. >> Big one or small? Or maybe? >> It's a decent sized one. Yeah, >> we'll take a look at that.
>> And I I have noticed the existing uh chameleia patch there. I think it's on the kind of southsoutheast side. >> Um, needs some work on just getting other plants out of the chameleas. You know, it's a bunch of >> oak trees and camper trees and whatnot
just growing up in the middle of them. >> I thought that we had that in one of our previous meetings and >> I thought we was going to this >> I don't >> I know you're you're I know you're coming in. >> I will definitely check into it though. It's always lack of help.
Yeah, there's like the little chameleia forest next to the gazebo and there were just a whole bunch of trash trees and other stuff. >> You squint and you can't see it. >> You look real close and it's like >> what is that down there where the There's like a little I noticed it today when I was driving around the little
fence that's down kind of by the lake and there's some bushes right there. >> What's that? >> It's over kind of in that same section over there by the chameleas, but it's closer to the lake. >> Closer. I couldn't tell if it was like blueberry bushes or something or >> No, there shouldn't be any blueberries there.
>> Take a look at that. >> I'd have to see it. I'm not sure. >> It almost looked like it was overgrown and just kind of scrawny or whatever. And I just noticed it today. >> We probably to give us some big maps that like you said something to look at. >> I can print out some diamond maps.
That's I had I've already worked I've gotten some of the utilities on the diamond maps for the lakeyard. Um >> still working on that. I've got to get a bunch of the utilities done for the amphitheater stuff, too. So, as soon as I get all that compiled, I can print it
out or send the link or something like that to where y'all can look at it and kind of And it's a aerial satellite. And do we want to sort of have just a an an a heading that's year one master plan for Chipley Park so
that because there's a number of different projects within that project you can do it in phases if you have a big project like that. We can say phase one get mapping and utilities located
>> and then phase two we'll you know plan where to where we're going to plant and that way >> and are you guys marking the utilities or you're getting like >> I'm going to be the one marking utilities. >> Okay. >> I'm personally going out there to mark them. Okay. >> Good. >> Okay.
>> I want to I don't know how soon it's going to happen but I'm as soon as I can. All the Arbor Day trees, I'm going to have pictures of them on my iPad location of where they're at so that if we have a tree that dies and somebody
says, "Hey, my memorial trees messed up." Then we can go right to it. I'm not having to walk the lake to try to find it. >> Only one we haven't really replaced, and that was >> Lamont from uh >> Sanford. Yeah. What's his name? >> Yeah. >> But I did send to the city two or three
years ago GPS readings for a lot of them. I don't know if that's anywhere. You know the way GPI GPS them not not the recent last three or four years but so I can help them cuz we need to look need to look at all them. There was a couple of them. You replaced one already
that's gone. >> Then there was there's a couple sort on the critical list that you know got to see if they're going to make it. >> So when I was called and told that you know hey there's a dead tree out there. I'm like oh okay I'll find it. You know and I walk out there and I walk from one and that wasn't it. I walked that was it. I'm like are you how many of these
are out here? Are you kidding me? >> Yeah, there's a handful of them doing well. I think old leave it the Beaver Tree is still doing good. >> Well, like you said, there's a lot of different projects. So, um, >> as far as like top priority, we're going to have small and large, you know, so
some can get finished a lot quicker. So, maybe we should put the ones at the top, the ones that we know we can complete >> done first and then followed by the larger projects. And so anything that can make the city look beautiful by the time spring break traffic starts coming in, I'd like to see those at the top,
>> you know, like just entrances and that's the reason. So things that we can >> if we can show accomplishments that the public's going to be more supportive of us, >> right? >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> And then just followed by we know this is going to take over six months. So let's put at the top what we know we can do in six months and then we we can
always if some if funds come available we can always skip to the larger projects you know so what would you guys like for your number one priority the entrance ways and the highway 90 and 31 >> definitely >> okay so I'm going to go ahead and add
that to the priority number And then I would think clean up of Chipley Park. >> Yeah. >> Um and then dash if followed by >> Actually, don't we have >> we have some a volunteer group coming in
>> the 12th, >> the day before the Christmas parade, >> the 13th >> to clean up Chipley Park >> after 13th. So, uh, we had, and I think I reached out to you, I can't remember his name, but it's with the Walton
Middle School, their anchor club. >> Oh, good. >> And they want to help support and get hours and do a park cleanup. They did um clean up Chipley Park after a h
Halloween happenings. Um, so they did that and when he reached out and asked if they could do some cleanup after the parade, I gave >> Jennifer that information so she could reach out to him. So that's another good organization. Scouting of America is
another one. They've changed. They don't have like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts. They have Scouting of America now. And so we've got that connection as well. They would like to do some hours. And Walton Academy is another good supporter of ours. So if if that's what you guys
would like to do, we can certainly reach out to those organizations and and let them the lighthouse a student lighthouse group over at the Walton Academy, they want to do some work. >> That would be good. I think it really needs to be a very planned like we need to have an idea of exactly what not just
garbage pickup like you know what trees need to be pruned what trees need to be taken completely out who's capable of doing what jobs and really have a a intense layout program you know have all those groups come too but we're also going to need some >> some money down there to supervise
>> for sure >> plus what Evan was saying those kids could pull blackberry vines out of bushes that kind of stuff they could do right >> getting plants that not supposed to be there >> break. >> I want to get date for Chipley Park on the books for January.
>> So number two would be clean up Chipley Park and begin to organize how that cleanup effort is going to be. So there's number two and you want to do that before the end of January. I would like to I would like to have that meeting before the end of January so we
can say this needs to be this needs to be this needs to be and then on the calendar maybe in February >> after light so you probably want to wait till February with all the lights out there kids might get into them >> they're not a big deal the the main thing is the figurines I think we can get those up before February but I think
we can have a cleanup by the end of January >> okay >> okay so the first part would be part One would be the planning of the cleanup in January. >> Right. >> Right. And then have it organized and
advertised. We could always do that as well and for February. >> Right. >> Mhm. >> Okay. I'm just >> And if we get a chance to go down there, we could all put what we think needs to be done. >> Yeah. I mean, if we have volunteer groups and stuff that come to us, I
mean, if we have if y'all have >> problem areas that you guys see, >> um, >> like, hey, you know, between the Shiitaka building and, you know, Bay is really bad. Then we can, if we have a volunteer come to us group that says,
hey, we want to make some volunteer hours, then we can send them out there to clean up that area or do certain stuff that you guys see. >> Have a list for them. >> Have a list. Yes. >> Right. Yeah. Our normal meeting um would fall on January 1st, but that's a
holiday. So that would push us to the 8th. So we could always have our planning day, if you will, in advance of our meeting. Um so that we're all coming at the same time. >> We do our meeting in the morning because
it's going to be cold. Would it be warmer? >> January morning. Yeah. >> Not in the morning. Well, I mean like around the morning at 4:00 4:00 be pretty cold, huh? >> So on January 4:00's almost dark >> on the January 8th day. Are you guys
wanting to do like an aerial view of the park and make some decisions about that indoors or are you wanting to do a workshop outdoors? And >> I think they're want to do a workshop there so that because the the plan is to to clean up in February. So if we go out there in January and say, "Hey, this is
that our priorities for the volunteers." >> And I think we're gonna need more than an hour. >> So >> I think it's going to take more than an hour for us to walk and talk and make notes. So I would say maybe 3:00. >> Is that too late? >> That's at least two.
>> I would say two >> two o'clock. We'll start getting longer days in January, but you don't really notice till February. >> Yeah. Okay. So, let me just mark them as well. >> Make sure I don't have anything going on. >> Yes, please do because we need you. >> Yeah,
>> I might not be talking today. I'm getting all new teeth on the fifth. >> Oh, >> not in crowned one day. Seven hours. So, you'll be happy, you know, if I can't talk >> that day. >> The fifth. >> Oh, >> yeah.
>> That's a lot of work. >> That's exciting. 2:00 January 8th. Get it cleaned up the plan. >> So we'll hit priorities. >> What's next on your list? >> Lights, fountain, berries and blooms. I
think berries and blooms we can address after we do the cleanup kind of simultaneously. >> If we just do a small area. H um and I was thinking like what you were saying Andrew about uh maybe doing a phase one so we could just have as our priority item Chipley Park phase one and from my
perspective having the utilities marked getting a community needs assessment um you know getting input from the community and a long-term maintenance plan. Those are
the ones off of that year one that makes the most sense to me. >> What do you how you feel about that? >> That's fine. >> How do you guys feel about that? So number three just just >> so number three would be
>> master plan chipley park year one phase one >> and those items would be marking the utilities developing a long-term maintenance plan and conducting a needs assessment with input from the community and from
Andrew. Right? >> Because you guys just don't have the manpower. That's why we need volunteers to do all that. Yes. Is our priorities still to try to hire a city arborist or somebody to take care
of all the parks? I mean, that's our job. You know, we supervising no, you know what I mean? We've been trying to do that for years. >> Yeah. We'll put that on next month's agenda. >> Yeah, trouble is always money, you know. >> It's always money.
>> Andrew, did some of the guys go through some training on some arburous training? >> We had some people that had some arborist training. Um, but they're no longer with us, >> of course. Okay. >> Can you do that?
>> I did a couple class talks. Maybe maybe we can do a a video series so that when those guys leave, the knowledge doesn't have to leave with them and >> maybe Evan can be our star of the show
and show them how to do it. Thoughts? >> Sounds good to me. >> Okay. Are they in the hiring process or are you fully staffed now? >> I am on the 11th. I have got a mass hiring going on. I've got five positions
and Randall has five positions open right now. >> Wow. >> So, and we've got 30 applicants. So, we'll see how many people show up for the interviews and go from there. >> Okay. >> Wow. >> So, hopefully we'll be fully staffed soon. >> That's a lot. Well, and even when you
are fully staffed, there's ramp up time there. >> Yeah. You're still And you're still we're still bare bones, but >> Yeah. >> So, you got the applicants though. You have some applicants though. >> Good. somebody wants to work. >> Well, typically half the time, I don't know why, but half the time half of them
don't show up. >> I don't understand that, but >> crazy. Any other things that we Okay, so the um the other project and I I would I don't know how we want
to number it, but it needs to be the tree donation fund and getting that established and um advertised >> so we can actually do some of these projects. >> What year was the um fountain in?
>> Two. >> Three. >> Three. >> Three. >> We had lighting in two and the fountain in three, but I'm happy to move those up because I think those are big impact >> if we can find the money for it. I mean, what budget are we looking at
realistically for the fountain? >> 50,000. I know one. >> Yes. >> 150,000. Really? That's >> easily. Easily. >> I just can't picture something costing that much for I want to put one in my pond. >> Well, now we can keep one in your pond
for a lot. Okay. >> I think you and I can talk. We can >> I mean, are we talking 30 foot in the air? You want to have it going? I mean, I just don't have colors. >> You're going to have to It's going to have like Yeah. lights and you know look like it's got >> it's going to be run by a computer where
you can that tree that's out there that floating tree that's 30 ft. >> Yeah. It would have to be at least >> that and it looks small >> and it looks tiny. >> That'll be a huge attraction though. >> Yeah. All year round and >> so the bigger the better. But
>> fish ariation is what it is. That's right. Not for >> correct. >> And the fish need the colored lights. >> That's important. >> The fish attractive. >> I was going to say I think they like the color like the lights. >> But yes, I would be I would love to move
the lighting in the the fountain up. >> That's not a TDC or C deal because they're doing the other things. Now, how many how many since you're talking about the RGB lights,
>> how many trees are you wanting lit up? >> I don't know that we counted, but we can certainly look at that while we're out there if you want to. We can add it since we're there. Um, if we could do that. That's where that aerial is going to come in handy, too, though, >> because since you're not doing since
we're not like wrapped in the trees, because we have RGBs that we use for Christmas reflections. >> So, we could possibly use the RGBs year round for those trees and then when it comes Christmas time, we can just move them back to the RGB section.
>> Say what you just said again so I understand. >> That's some of the Christmas lights. We have so the the canopy lights that you're talking about >> Uhhuh. >> for the trees, >> they're not down lights. They're up
lights to light up the canopy of the tree and they reflect off the canopy of the tree. >> Well, I understood we couldn't have up lights because of the Edglund airspace restrictions that they had to be down lights. >> I What's the difference in when we use them for Christmas
>> reflection? >> That's I don't know. I didn't know you did. >> It's probably as long as the beam don't go 300 foot. They're not bright enough to >> I personally don't think I will check into it and see. >> Yeah, they're not bright enough, >> but I don't think it's bright enough to affect their night vision and stuff. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So,
I'll check into it and if we can if we can use the RGBs that we use for Christmas >> in certain locations that you want for trees, then we can go ahead and possibly use those lights for those trees >> because for what we had talked about is just making sure like on our largest
trees, the really specimen pretty trees, tall trees, mostly oaks but maybe pines, but having it sort of distributed throughout, Right. So that it >> lights up an entire area a lot better
than a path light would. >> Yeah. >> Plus it aids in pedestrians going around. That's what I mean. Natural lighting almost, right? >> Without, you know, because just the path lights that right there, the tree lights gets a much bigger area, a lot more bang
for your buck. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. So Sumi, if we can add that as we're out on Chipley Park to kind of add a survey of >> Can can you say that in a different way?
>> RGBs. >> So have the >> So you're >> projection lights. Projection >> just put projection lights. projection lights as and we can you all can move these up in your priorities because I think >> yes >> the tree board donation
um probably could go before the highway 90 entrance and then >> the projection lining >> that's used for Christmas >> also Christmas so we already have those >> so that may be something that we can go ahead
>> a quick win >> a quick win so we'll I'll check into I'll look into see how many we have. >> Okay. >> And then >> and could you maybe do a snapshot at night of one of them so we have an idea of what it is we're
>> it's going to look like >> what we're looking at. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> I very visual. >> I learn one question on the phone. We're saying 150,000 >> for a real big one. Yeah. So, I'm betting that us three maybe having we
can get 150 people in this community to donate a thousand bucks. >> I bet we could >> businesses and >> Well, that's where that draft's going to come in once we launch that and maybe we we advertise >> fountain and see, you know, that' be our
first big >> So, I'm moving that tree donation project up to number one. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> I agree. And then um then number two would be the projection lights.
Say that's number two. >> I think we would have the >> signs coming in, right? Or is this the time of year to do it to do the straw and all that stuff? >> Well, then I I I was I was just looking at some of the quicker wins that we
could possibly do regards. >> Yeah. I mean the >> to me to me that I mean I know it's a project but to me that's more of a a maintenance >> yes >> the pine stuff's a maintenance thing to me it's not >> you mean the highway 90 project >> yeah cleaning up maintenance >> yeah it's more of a clean up and
maintenance kind of thing >> so >> that can be done anyway >> okay so that's more of an operational thing >> so you want me to take it off of their priorities list >> and just put it on your list >> on mine your growing list >> and then you'll have that And
>> yeah, next week >> we'll talk about >> next week. All right. >> Don't he knows you too well. I'll be like >> six months. >> Where we at with this? >> We're done. We're done. >> Because they'll remind you.
>> Okay. All right. I took that off. So, number one, treeboard donation. Um number two, the projection lighting. Number three, the cleanup Chipley Park project. And number four, the phase one of the master plan should be
>> Sounds good. >> Okay, >> good start. >> I like it. >> Okay. >> Well, if we get that all done by February, >> yeah, we're doing good. >> Yeah, >> I agree. All right. Anything else that
anybody can think of that we would want? And I know that this is in maintenance and we've talked about this, but I would say making sure that the downtown beds that were just done this year are consistently maintained. I've noticed
some of them get pretty weedy um and a little ratty looking. Um >> so some of that and I can't remember. I have to go back and look. So there was some of that that was supposed to be maintained by Main
Street and some of that is supposed to be maintained by us. >> There was never any >> written >> written or anything like that. Um all of that does need to be pruned but it needs to be it needs to be late January
>> because I'd say twice a year put about twice a year >> right? So, all that needs to be heavily pruned and I am on the main street. So, um and I don't mind doing a work day and getting that done. But a lot of the main beds look really good. >> A lot of the main look good. It's like
I'm just noticing in some of them and they have been cleaned up since I noticed them, but there were a couple of others. There's just a lot of weeds. So, it's like over to where across from Iron Great. Well, now see Rotary has has uh they've taken that now that's their bed and they were having a plaque made and
so they've went in there and got been pulling weeds all >> next to Iron and Grape or across from Iron and Grape? >> Across from Iron and Grape. >> Okay. That long one that goes next to the one. Yes. >> Yep. >> So, yeah. And they're also going to be doing planning like um the colorful stuff in
the spring there to make that whole area. So, they've adopted that and so it that should be taken care of. Sweet. And um all the other ones um we'll probably Main Street wants to I think work with the city as far as you know helping but you know uh just putting out the pine
straw if we probably have help with that. But I would say let's just hold off till spring so it looks good >> and prune heavy in February. But again I don't I don't mind finding the workers to do that and then if we need help then come to you. >> Okay.
>> We do fine straw you mean? >> Yeah. >> Who buys fine straw? Uh we used it out of this fund last year. Um yeah, you know, so you know, maybe the city that'll be something that they can do again and then >> I think the city end up getting a few bales. Remember, didn't we run a little
short then the city got a little more? I kind of think so. >> Yeah, >> it takes a while. >> No, it's probably toxic. That plastic fake pine straw that lasts for >> We got plenty of pine. >> Okay. Sorry. No, that's okay. I'm I'm
That's why I'm asking. >> The only uh bed that did not get um landscape fabric was in front of Sora because Sora wasn't really at the time they were asking for that to be brick to match and then do the bike rack and >> and without the funds there to do it, it
was just better to go ahead and make it match. But even that one surprisingly has very little weeds with no landscaping fabric. So the pine troll does a good job. Yeah. again. >> Okay.
Okay. Let me get back to where the agenda is. >> Okay. Anything else on the priority list before we move on? >> No. >> Five citizen comments. >> Citizens.
Okay. Um, I would like to say thank you to Mary Ray Harrison who uh remade all the bows for our wreaths uh that we have hung up downtown on Bowwin Avenue. So, >> awesome. >> Thank you for making those.
>> Is this on I think we talked about agenda. What's the update on the is it the garden club that's donating money? What's the don >> Rotary? And that's who that's who actually is doing the plaque and using the money downtown. But they also were going to give us I think it was $300 to
for trees of our choice. So it might be that we want to use that >> for the berries or anything. >> Who's the president of that now? >> Not Tom Baker. He might be >> Dan. >> Yeah. Dan Owens. >> Yeah. Dan. >> Yeah. So that would be part of their the
donation form that they would have to complete that. >> But we might want to see if we can come that money. We've got I've got that under the tracking now. The one, two, three or one, two, three top ones of the tree donation process projection line
and the clean up for Chipley Park going to be the next one, two threes for us to review and get started. >> Awesome. Sounds good. >> Excellent. >> Okay. Uh, any other comments before we adjourn? >> All right. With that, we adjourn. It is
6:21. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Andrew got