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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 19, 2019 City Pride Meeting Minutes from Tuesday, March 19, 2019 Attendees: Peggy Hagerty Duffy,Judy Behringer, Richard Eklund, Nancy Eklund, Barbara Wilson, Brenda Johnston, David R Julius, Dan Griffin, Jim McCoskey, Lynn McCoskey, Phyllis Nelson, Andy Crouch. The meeting was called to order by Peggy Duffy at 9:33 a.m. in the Mayor's Conference Room. Minutes: Peggy Duffy asked if all those present had reviewed the meeting minutes for March 5, 2019. Judy Behringer noted that she was incorrectly shown as the person planting the bicycle planter on Woehrle Road. Brenda Johnston confirmed that she had volunteered to do this. Brenda Johnston made a motion to approve the corrected minutes of the last meeting of March 5, 2019. The motion was seconded by Jim McCoskey. The motion was approved without opposition. Spring Planting: Peggy Duffy called for a round of applause for Andy Crouch, City Engineer,and the City Drainage Crew for their work on the Court Avenue medians. They accomplished the removal of the ornamental grasses from last year's plantings and also planted pansies around the edges of all the rectangular planters. Recognition was given by Peggy Duffy to all others who had participated in any way with planting pansies in the flower pots and or bicycle planters. Peggy also expressed appreciation toward Judith Van Gilder for picking up the pansies and transporting them in her trailer. Peggy Duffy asked David Julius if he could advise the current status of snapdragons for the next round of planting. David stated he would have to check and get back with that information. Currently, the plan (hope) is to plant the snapdragons the week prior to Thunder Over Louisville,with the snapdragons being cut back when City Pride does its summer planting. There were a few difficulties encountered with the Spring Planting:A number of the flower pots could have used additional soil prior to planting but this did not happen as planned.Also, there was at least one flower pot that was overlooked, and the bicycle planter at the Aquatic Center did not get planted. In addition, Peggy Duffy indicated something (squirrels she thinks) had tossed some of the pansies from the bicycle planter at Brim and 8th Street onto the ground and would need replacing. Peggy stated that she would plant the flower pot(s)that had been missed and add pansies to the bicycle planter at Brim. Nancy Eklund commented that Judith Van Gilder had a number of pansies leftover, and Peggy said she would get with Judith. Per Peggy Duffy,the matter of additional soil needed in flower pots will be addressed at the time the snapdragons are planted. Nancy Eklund advised that the bicycle planter at the Aquatic Center needed not only soil but that a big portion of the cocoa mat liner which holds the soil is missing. Richard Eklund had spoken with Judith Van Gilder the day after the pansy planting and informed her about the bike planter problems at the Aquatic Center. Judith said she would take responsibility for the repair and planting of pansies there. A brief discussion occurred when Richard Eklund offered his opinion that he thought the Court Avenue Medians would have been better served to have planted all the round planters instead of all the rectangular planters. Peggy Duffy responded that she and the City Drainage Crew that did the planting felt exactly opposite. Peggy said it was a matter that could be reviewed prior to next year's Spring planting. CourtAvenue Median Damage: In response to questions and comments from City Pride members regarding the Court Avenue median in front of Wesbanco Bank, City Engineer,Andy Crouch stated the following: The median had been damaged and was to be repaired with some design changes. No flower planters had been damaged or would be involved with the median design change. The median had been designed to slow traffic and to provide a pedestrian refuge for people crossing the street at the intersection of CourtAvenue and Pearl Street. However, since its construction,the end of the median has been hit a number of times by vehicles making turns. The new design will shorten (remove)three to four feet from the end of the median to provide more room for turning vehicles. Peggy Duffy suggested signage showing the proper traffic pattern would be helpful, to which Mr. Crouch concurred. Planter at Big Four: Green Space(aka City of Jeffersonville Green Team) has drilled holes in the base of the planter located at the base of the ramp coming off of the Big 4 Walking Bridge per Peggy Duffy's request to Mayor Moore at the meeting of March 5,2019. This planter reportedly had,at times, up to six inches of standing water in it last year. The holes were drilled at the base of the front of the planter with the thought that drainage is directed into the street. Green Space indicated they had some reservations that this action would resolve the issues with this planter. Peggy Duffy and David Julius discussed plants for the summer planting of this area with Banana Plants and Alocasia being mentioned. Mr. Julius stated that Walnut Ridge Nursery (his business)carries a variety of Banana Plant whose leaves h ave a reddish tint. Peggy wants to plant pansies and snapdragons in the planter at Big Four the week before Thunder Over Louisville to enhance the appearance of this area during the Thunder event. Date set for Snapdragon Planting: The date for the planting of snapdragons has been tentatively set for Tuesday,April 9, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. All City Pride members who are planning to participate should meet in the parking lot on Chestnut Street across from Glossbrenner Garden. Atotal of three hundred(300) snapdragons in four-inch containers are to be planted. The Drainage Crew will help with the Court Avenue planters earlier in the day. Flower Pots at Vintage Fire Museum: Peggy Duffy announced that the three flower pots located at the Vintage Fire Museum in Jeffersonville's Arts and Cultural District are now the responsibility of the Jeffersonville Arts Department. No further details were provided. Decorative Sun-powered Discs: Per Peggy Duffy,some all yellow sun-powered discs (shown previously in City Pride meetings and during Court Avenue planning meetings) have been ordered thru David Julius (he gets a discount)for the Court Avenue median planters. Mr. Julius said he ordered them from an Israeli salesman, and they are made in Germany.There will be at least two per median planter, large and small. If they are available at that time, they will be placed in the planters when the snapdragons are planted. No costs were identified and no action was requested from City Pride members. Thunder Parking: On April 13, 2019,City Pride volunteers will begin parking cars at the old foundry lot at Wall Street and Market Street. Those assisting with the parking should plan to arrive during a period beginning at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Peggy Duffy reiterated the cost will be $20 per space,with the proper parking areas on the lot being determined by City Pride. Any parking arrangements that customers may have had in former years at this location will not be honored.Also, she indicated that at last year's parking location,there had been problems with the designated entrance,especially as parking at the lot neared full capacity. Peggy intends to avoid this situation from occurring this year with a parking entrance not in conflict with nearby parking areas. The following individuals have volunteered for Thunder Parking:Peggy Duffy, Judith Van Gilder, David Julius, Richard Eklund, Nancy Eklund,Andy Crouch, Judy Behringer, Phyllis Nelson (if possible),and Barbara Wilson. Brenda Johnston will do clean-up of the area the next day. Storage Shed: Peggy Duffy said she had not,as of yet, received an update from Judith Van Gilder regarding the need for additional rock at the new site. Bicycle Planters: Peggy advised the weather has been too cold to do any painting on the bicycle planters. In addition to peeling paint, Richard and Nancy Eklund noted that two of the bicycle planters have lopsided wheels, and one of these also has a severely deteriorating seat, among other issues. Peggy Duffy stated to proceed with painting the bicycles as is —the deteriorated seat was in that condition when the bicycle in question was put in place. Glossbrenner Garden: Lynn McCoskey displayed two teapots which she had found ata flea market. The current teapot in the garden is broken, so a replacement was needed. One of the teapots located by Lynn has a fireplace and books on its lid which coordinate with the current "Harry Potter"theme in the garden. It was decided that this teapot should be screwed down to the mantle of the"fireplace piece"in the garden and that the other teapot would replace the broken pot mounted on a steel rod. Peggy Duffy suggested a cleanup day be scheduled for the garden prior to Thunder over Louisville. The day of the planting of snapdragons,April 9th, at 2:00 p.m. was decided upon for replacement of the broken saucers and cups, clean up of fallen leaves etc. Jim and Lynn McCoskey will lead this effort,along with any others who can help at this time. Peggy Duffy suggested buying some decorative crystals to hang in the garden,stating that forty(40)crystals could be procured at a cost of$72. Phyllis Nelson made a motion to approve the purchase with Barbara Wilson seconding. The matter was put to a vote,with no dissenters. Banner Arms on CourtAvenue: Andy Crouch, City Engineer, said that twelve (12) banner arms (brackets) have been ordered. He also mentioned that one to two more brackets were broken in recent high winds. Peggy Duffy asked when the "Spring" banners would replace the current"Winter"banners on display. Andy said this would occur the week of March 18, 2019. Irrigation: The irrigation systems are to be activated the second week of April, 2019. The system in Glossbrenner is currently under repair.The irrigation system on the Court Avenue medians and the irrigation system at Preservation Station were checked this past fall and are fine. David Julius mentioned the possibility of something leaking on CourtAvenue. Parking lot at 7th Street and Wall Street: David Julius advised the City Pride members that Mr. Ned Pfau, as a private citizen, had paid for the parking lot at 7th and Wall to be redone. Mr. Julius said it was a big upgrade in appearance for this area of the City of Jeffersonville and suggested some form of appreciation be shown to Mr. Pfau. A thank you note from City Pride to Mr. Pfau was vetted briefly. Mr. Julius mentioned the possibility of a "Certificate of Appreciation"from Mayor Mike Moore. City Engineer, Andy Crouch,volunteered to speak to the mayor regarding this matter. Preservation Station: Peggy Duffy said her"Bunny Croquet"project at this park was on hold due to weather. She stated a bobcat(skid steer loader)would be needed to move the super large croquet balls and that the ground was too wet presently. She was anticipating any work to be delayed until mid-May. City Engineer Update: Richard Eklund asked the City Engineer,Andy Crouch, if he would update City Pride of any recent events of interest in the city. Mr. Crouch responded that the city was beginning an update of its "Sidewalk Master Plan". Jeffersonville will be soliciting input from the general public in a workshop or via social media as to where new sidewalks are needed. This process would not include repairs to existing sidewalks.Also, Andy mentioned that the "Illuminated Walking Path"from Big 4 Station to the NOCO (Arts and Cultural District of Jeffersonville) had been completed. This includes unique lighting displays that project onto the ground at night. Brenda Johnston made a motion to adjourn at 10:25. This was seconded by Barbara. The next meeting will be on Tuesday,April 2,2019 in the Mayor's Conference Room. _ \ \ ' —014.. .. ,...i..,_ ' 1%6 Approved by: '-. :,:gerty Duffy 6\ Pride' o-C014.Pj_0_, Submitted by: Richard F. Ek 1 .'