HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-03-21 Beautication Caldwell Beautification Commission
Regular Meeting
/1 March 21, 1977, 12 noon, Firehouse classroom
1 Present : Members : Bell, Conger, Gerdes, Macy, Rankin, Wallace,
Youngblood
Ex Officio: Bauman, Morse, Payne
Guests : John Renk, Lo Ree McKinney, Neal Goff.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Conger who then introduced
Vern Morse the newly appointed Recreation +Director for the City of
Caldwell and Lo Ree McKinney a recreation intern from NNC.
Minutes . The minutes of the February l4 meeting were approved as
corrected.
Parks and Recreation report. Conger reported that members from our
commission met with Vern Morse to review with him the history, goals
and projects of this group.
Planning and Zoning. Conger and Jensen attended the Planning and
Zoning Commission meeting. Conger reported that Mr. Nelson is re-
drawing all planning and zoning ordinances . All of the requests made
by this commission have been included in the comprehensive plan.
It is hoped that set backs from rivers, ditches, etc. will be made
mandatory. Mr. Nelson will keep us informed of progress made in
planning and zoning.
l Priorities . Youngblood presented a list of projects which have been
of interest to this commission. See attached sheet.
Macy arrived at 12:20. Rankin arrived at 12:22.
Roads and Streets . Macy reported that the Roads and Streets committee
would like the Beautification Commission to consider the 10th and I-80
interchange, in terms of improving the appearance of the area, and
tree planting on Highway 30 between Caldwell and Nampa.
Railroad Pare:.. The railroad park project involving the old Union Pacific
depot is currently in a state of limbo, reported Bauman. Nothing more
can be done until U P officials make a written agreement with the city
allowing for use of the property. A parking right of way must be
planned for.
Commendations. Conger reported that the City Council had approved the
general program of commendation as set forth by this commission. She
read letters from the Mayor commending the two businesses - The Magic
Mirror and Production Credit Corporation - we had recommended to the
council for their action.
During a discussion of the Dunn and Frye property at 7th and Fillmore
which had been nominated for commendation it was pointed out that the
back of the building was not finished, there were as yet no plantings
and no evidence of off-street parking. It was also mentioned that
PIN this business was given a variance to allow its establishment in a
residential area. Macy moved that we table for two months action
on this matter. Rankin seconded. Passed.
Quiet Park. Rankin announced that the Forward Club will take on the
project of the Quiet Park at Ohio and Maple . She will report further
details when her contact with the club is back in town. Rankin, Payne
and Morse will also meet with the Forward Club representative to
discuss what is needed in the park.
Liason with Parks and Recreation Commission. Neal Goff arrived at
12:35. He was introduced as the liason person between the Parks and
Recreation and Beautification Commissions.
Green City U.S .A . Payne asked for help frim the commission in
dealing with the application form for Green City U.S .A . designation.
Macy volunteered to help. Arbor Day is April 29th. It is hoped that
if we receive Green City designation the Mayor will proclaim the
City' s participation in Arbor Day.
Revenue Sharing Funds . Conger reported that of the 3 suggestions we
had made at the public hearing on Revenue Sharing the arboretum was the
one the City Council chose as a project for funding. $10,000 from the
Forestry budget will be made available for use in establishing an
arboretum.
Spring Clean-up. Wallace reported that she had visited with Mr. Pasley
and the Spring Clean-up will take place the latter part of April.
The Mayor will do the publicity for the clean-up and Wallace will
keep in touch with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who will be available
to help Senior Citizens if they request help.
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Comprehensive Plan. Conger stated that the Comprehensive Plan had
been passed with the exception of one part dealing with zoning
boundaries .
Arboretum. Renk told the commission of this talk with Dr. Partridge
at the University of Idaho. Dr. Partridge who is a well known expert
on arboretums suggested that as soon as a site is determined the
city should begin working organic matter into the soil. It must be
determined in advance whether hard pan is involved. Bell suggested
that the leaves from the trees at the VA in Boise have a very high pot-
ash content and are excellent for composting. A general discussion of
the arboretum idea followed bringing out the following points :
1. School people are not interested in maintaining an arboretum on
school property. 2. We might do well to establish several arboretums
on small plots rather than plan on one large area. 3. An arboretum
might go well in new park areas in new neighborhoods . 4. The Soil
Conservation people are currently doing a soil survey of Canyon County
which will be extremely useful in planning an arboretum. Some of the
areas casually mentioned as possible locations for an arboretum are :
1. The area west of the city swimming pool. 2. The Quiet Park.
3. A section of city property near the armory. 4. The periphery of
the Jefferson playing field.
Neal Goff left at 1:05 P.M.
Priorities. The results of balloting by the commission to determine
which of Youngblood' s suggestions of projects to be considered are :
1. Trees . 2. Bikeways. 3. Arboretum. 4. Railroad Park Project.
5. Entrances to the City. These are listed in the commission' s order
of preference.
In further discussion of priorities and how to proceed in the future
the following points were made : 1. Payne felt that the public
^ should constantly be made aware of the value of trees . Trees should
' 1 be replaced where necessary and pruned properly and at the proper time.
Everyone should be encouraged to water trees, especially this year.
2. Renk will do more public relations articles about when and what
to plant in this area. 3. Bell and Youngblood will act as liason
persons for the arboretum project. All information and meeting schedules
will be channeled through them.
Conger appointed Macy to prepare a recommendation for a public relations
program concerning trees to be presented a,t the next meeting.
Special Projects Grants . Morse reported that there are Federal
monies available for a large variety of 1-year projects . These grants
are designed to improve employment levels in a given locale. The
Quiet Park might qualify for these funds . Morse will be alert to
any possibilities we should know about.
The meeting disintegrated at 1:30 P.M.
Conger, Bauman, Macy, Morse, McKinney and Wallace, following the meeting,
drove the proposed bikeway system and visited Curtis Park, Madison
Park, Luby Park, J.C. Park and the Quiet Park.
egN Valeta Wallace
Co-Secretary