MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD AT THE GARDEN CLUB, 911 PARKWAY DR., FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 11:00 A.M. ON TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023.
1.
Call to Order
Caleta Scott called the July 18, 2023 Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful Advisory Board meeting to order at 11:07 AM.
2.
Roll Call
- Present:
- Shirley Walker; Charlene Adair; Bob Burdge; Caleta Scott
- Absent:
- Matthew Samuel; David BuShea
- Staff Present:
-
- Mike Reals, Public Works Director
- Paul Bertram, Parks and Grounds Division Manager
- Marsha Noel, Redevelopment Specialist
- Tina Rel, Records Management Coordinator
- Celia Howard , Deputy City Clerk
- Attendees:
-
- Linda Hudson
- Helen McDonald
3.
Approval of Minutes
a.
Meeting Minutes April 18, 2023
There was no approval of the minutes.
4.
Comments from the Public
No Comments
5.
Old Business
a.
Quarterly Cleanups-June 3 recap
Parks and Grounds Division Manager Paul Bertram discussed the turnout. Caleta Scott discussed the positive participation seen in local neighborhoods stating we should keep the momentum going.
Charlene Adair thanked Paul Bertram and the public works staff for the much improved trash pickup this year.
Charlene Adair thanked Paul Bertram and the public works staff for the much improved trash pickup this year.
6.
New Business
a.
Smoke Free Parks and Beaches-Helen McDonald, Florida Department of Health St. Lucie
Helen McDonald,with the Florida Department of Health on behalf of the St. Lucie County's Tabasco Free Partnership provided a presentation on the Smoke Free Parks and Beaches initiative.
The Board and staff discussed enforcement, signage verbiage and other cities and counties parks and beaches smoking ordinances. The Board and staff discussed possible solutions including restricted areas for smoking, continuing to educate the community, and visible clean up efforts.
The Board and staff discussed enforcement, signage verbiage and other cities and counties parks and beaches smoking ordinances. The Board and staff discussed possible solutions including restricted areas for smoking, continuing to educate the community, and visible clean up efforts.
b.
Fall Field trip discussion
The Board discussed taking a field trip sometime in the fall. Caleta Scott encouraged the Board to email public works ideas and suggestions.
c.
Future Meetings Discussion
The Board discussed changing the meetings from once a month to once every other month.
The Board expressed interest in having more assignments and possibly finding 2 or 3 meaningful projects to focus on involving the entire community. They discussed focusing on other ideas for improving Fort Pierce appearance to include landscaping improvement. They discussed scheduling a guest speaker coming from UF/IFAS to come speak at a future meeting.
Public Works Director Mike Reals stated that historically clean-ups have gotten alot more participation than other initiatives and there is a need to find new ways to help with education to promote overall volunteerism in the community.
Paul Bertram discussed landscaping budget, local environment, and lack of irrigation in specific areas.
The Board and staff discussed speaking with FPRA regarding a landscaping program to help promote community involvement.
The Board expressed interest in having more assignments and possibly finding 2 or 3 meaningful projects to focus on involving the entire community. They discussed focusing on other ideas for improving Fort Pierce appearance to include landscaping improvement. They discussed scheduling a guest speaker coming from UF/IFAS to come speak at a future meeting.
Public Works Director Mike Reals stated that historically clean-ups have gotten alot more participation than other initiatives and there is a need to find new ways to help with education to promote overall volunteerism in the community.
Paul Bertram discussed landscaping budget, local environment, and lack of irrigation in specific areas.
The Board and staff discussed speaking with FPRA regarding a landscaping program to help promote community involvement.
7.
Staff Discussion
Mike Reals stated the next big project underway in regards to beautification is Avenue D. Mr. Reals supports the idea of meeting every other month. Special meetings can be called in between if necessary.
Redevelopment Specialist Marsha Noel discussed the Mural Painting Project and updated the board on progress. Mr. Reals suggested putting art on sanitation trucks.
The Board and staff further discussed Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful events and meetings emphasizing the importance of proper notification to the public and Board members.
Redevelopment Specialist Marsha Noel discussed the Mural Painting Project and updated the board on progress. Mr. Reals suggested putting art on sanitation trucks.
The Board and staff further discussed Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful events and meetings emphasizing the importance of proper notification to the public and Board members.
8.
Board Discussion
The Board discussed finishing the power box wrapping, the need for sponsors, and resuming that project.
The Board discussed blue tubes on the beaches that hold plastic bags for cleanup and the fact that they are deteriorating and will need to eventually be replaced. The organization that was in charge of that project is no longer involved. Mike Reals asked to be provided with a list of the blue tubes in the worst shape and the city will look into fabricating new ones and working with graphic designers to develop wraps that possibly include QR codes advertising Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful.
The Board and staff discussed the City's volunteer program.
The Board discussed blue tubes on the beaches that hold plastic bags for cleanup and the fact that they are deteriorating and will need to eventually be replaced. The organization that was in charge of that project is no longer involved. Mike Reals asked to be provided with a list of the blue tubes in the worst shape and the city will look into fabricating new ones and working with graphic designers to develop wraps that possibly include QR codes advertising Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful.
The Board and staff discussed the City's volunteer program.
9.
Adjournment
Caleta Scott adjourned the meeting at 12:34 PM.