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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-09-20 Beautication CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting September 20, 1976 - 11 :45 A.M. PIN Present: members - Macy, Gledhill, Wallace, Conger ex officio - Bauman guests - John Renk, Bob Gerdes, Alma Bell Late arrivals: members - Rankin, Roberts Early departures; ex officio - Bauman The meeting was called to order in the Council chambers by Secretary Shirley Conger. Minutes of the meeting of August 16, 1976 were read and approved as read. Trees - A letter from Mary N. Thompson, 2120 Wyoming Avenue, Caldwell, was read expressing her belief that replacement of lost trees is very important to maintaining the desired atmosphere of Caldwell. (letter attached) Councilwoman Bauman reported on a meeting of the Tree Committee held on September 16, 1976 and attended by M. Bauman, B. Tunnicliff, J. Payne, K. Roberts. B. Wood, D. Horan and S. Conger. Discussion at that meeting included: 1 . general changes and additions to the current Code desired by Committee members. 2. the instituting of a permit system as suggested by Don Horan. 3. criteria or standards for tree removal such as disease, safety, traffic, improper type of tree for area. 4. possibility of tree trimmer being responsible for replanting. 5. advisability of increasing insurance required for tree trimmers license and adding a requirement for a license bond in order to discourage unqualified or unreliable individuals from indiscriminate tree removal. Councilwoman Bauman further reported that City Attorney Tunnicliff has been asked to draw up a rough draft ordinance utilizing the existing ordinance, the Boise ordinance, and Committee suggestions prior to the next meeting of the Committee scheduled for 9:30 A.M. on September 22, 1976. She also reported that the City has purchased an injector for treatment of Dutch Elm disease and the Parks Department is currently injecting both City and privately owned trees as required or requested. The possibilities of neighborhoods purchasing an injector at the cost of $98 for joint use and of Scouts handing out literature telling what can be done by individuals were suggested. 12:00 P.M. Bobbie Rankin arrived. John Renk stated that Washington has developed a Master Gardener program through their Extension Service. One person in each neighborhood is trained in areas of gardening and landscaping. That person then helps his neighbors with their individual problems. 12:05 P.M. Ken Roberts arrived and assumed the Chair. Jefferson Junior High Complex - Ken Roberts reported that the Task Force has been reviewing plans for renovation submitted by four archetectural firms in response to a prize of $1000 offered by the City for the best design. Possibile funding being investigated includes an H.U.D. grant which will probably not be available because the unemployment rate in Caldwell is too low for qualification. Other possibilities utilize funds from the sale of City Hall and the Police Station as all departments would be moved to the Complex. In addition, the Salvation Army '1 has proposed that they renovate the gym, hire a fulltime recreation director with a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation, and run the City recreation program with the exception of swimming on a totally non-religious basis, in exchange for use of the facilities for their church services. Rip Gledhill asked if any thought had been given to incorporating a vocational school in the project. CALDW LL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting - September 20, 1976 Page 2 Jefferson Junior High Complex (continued) - Ken stated he had not heard that possibility mentioned. Commission members expressed concern that the environ- mental integrity of any renovation project bemaintained.Ken will continue to keep the Commission informed of project developments. Quiet Park - Bobbie Rankin reported she presented the project to the Parks & Recreation Commission and they gave the project full approval. Ken Roberts made a presentation to the Rotary Club membership and they indicated interest. They were to discuss their possible particupation at a board meeting in early September. Ken will check with them concerning their decision. Chamber of Commerce - Marge Macy stated she will be reporting Commission activities back to the Community Resources Committee which is chaired by Pete Oleson. She said concern had been voiced at the last meeting about the area between Taco Time and Simplot Stadium. This Commission felt that College of Idaho plans to make this area an intramural field should help the situation. Marge also announced that the Roads & Streets Committee has scheduled a tour of City streets on October 11 , 1976. It was agreed that members of this Commission should take that tour. Weeds - Concern that weed growth is being ignored on a citywide basis was expressed by Commission members. It was decided that a reminder to citizens might make them aware of the problem. John Renk will submit an article to the newspaper. Countywide tree replacement & beautification - Bobbie Rankin presented the idea that even though the Whittenberger Foundation has dedicated all their funds available to the City for the library for several years to come, they do still have funds which could be available for projects outside of the City. In addition, the Caldwell Memorial Foundation will have funds available for projects. Further- more, Weyhauser has a nationwide tree replacement program in effect. Utilizing these three sources of funding could make a really big tree planting project possible. Rip Gledhill moved that the possibility of a City-County tree program be further investigated. Seconded by Val Wallace. Passed. Bobbie will report at next meeting. Lawns & gardens - John Renk announced that an Advisory Council on Lawn & Garden Care is being established and asked that a member of this Commission serve on that Council. Marge Macy volunteered. There was a question about Bill Bug control. John stated it is too late to do anything this year but a large infestation is expected next year. The best material for control is diazanone. Garage sale signs - Val Wallace expressed concern that many battered garage sale signs are being left up long after the sale is over. Other Commission members agreed that any signs left up including political signs become an eyesore. The City Code was checked and it was found that no signs may be placed on private property without permission of the owner, and no signs may be placed on utility poles. It was decided that because most garage sale signs are in violation of the Code, enforcement of the law would aid the situation. Ken Roberts was instructed to contact the Mayor about stronger enforcement. Vacancies - The following names will be nominated for appointment: Bob Gerdes to the unexpired term of Charleen Matheson; Alma Bell to the unexpired term of Jackie Brooks. The meeting was adjourned at 1 :00 P.M. Shirley Conger, Secretary ;x� n 1'r7t2,.✓ -?Ll /l7I r' • MARY N. THOMPSON 2120 WYOMING AVE. CALDWELL, IDAHO 83605 September 9, lJ7U City Beautification Committee City Hall Caldwell, Idaho 83605 Gentlemen: One of the things that makes Caldwell what it is is the beautiful tree-lined streets, that give a peaceful atmosphere to our lovely city. It is almost a physical hurt to us to see all those elm trees dying and being cut down. ;Je realize that those that cannot be saved must be removed, but for the continued shade, beauty and serenity of Caldwell, we would urge that they be replaced with some rather fast grow- ing trees, or whatever. I can' t imagine what Caldwell would be like if the places where the trees are removed would be forever left bare. I believe it is a 'must ' for Caldwell to re- plant trees and even believe it would be for the good of the city and its citizens if the trees on private land would be taken care of by the owners with urging from the city itself, realizing that the city has nothing to do with 'private property in this manner. If the owners don' t do anything about their trees then the city might undertake it and bill the owners as the county does for weed control. Sincerely,