Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-03-21 ,lik1 Beautify Euless Everyday r T i , ;� March 30 , 1988 (* i , \4 K4' ,,,,k 40!„ Minutes of Meeting Held March 21, 1988 at Simmons Fi u T X 1�J,� `v g Recreation Center, Euless, Texas ATTENDEES: Bob Perry, Patsy & Bob Phillips, Alice & Marland Ernest, Bruce Simpson, Dee & Jay Heilman, James R. Hight and Helen Lightbody The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alice Ernest. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous meeting by Marland Ernest and seconded Bob Phillips. The motion was carried. Volunteer hours were turned in for the month. Corresponding Secretary reported that she mailed the agenda and minutes of the past meeting on March 8, 1988. She inquired as to whether everyone was receiving them in a timely manner. Anne Terry was not present to report on the "Main Street" project and a special effort will be made to assure that she receives the agenda and minutes in sufficient time to be able to program her schedule. The Treasurer reported that we made one payment this past month in the amount of $11.78. We now have a balance of $4856.37. Approximately 80 letters were mailed out to the "Yard of the Month" participants. The letter stated that there would be a new rule in our judging system. Those who were winners last year will not be eligible to win this year. We could use more judges for this project. Jean Barksdale was suggested as a possible contact in this area. Dotty and George McKinney were at College Station this week participating in a seminar on Community Development. George is keeping close contact with Donna Hibbitts, HEB School Curriculum Director. He took to her the booklet "40 Great Ideas" compiled by KTB, Inc. in Austin. She was pleased to see her name was mentioned as part of the "Waste-in-Place" program and said that several other cities expressed interest in starting this program in their schools. She has run copies of portions of the booklet and handed them to teachers in other areas. Mrs. Hibbitts indicated that the timing for this program was tremendous and she has a meeting set-up with all elementary teachers in HEB area immediately after the spring break. She was invited by George to attend the KTB, Inc. Convention in Galveston this year as our guest. She expressed delight and said she would only attend if she could do something while she was there. Our contact with the school system has been excellent and we feel it has been a major contribution toward the goals of "BEE". Bob Phillips reported on his visit with the Principal of Midway Elementary School. He suggested to them that they initiate a litter=cleanup program which would work in conjunction with Arbor Day. The pecan trees will be given out each year as previously done with the necessary instruction and information. The school will have an ongoing program for litter pickup. Each class will be assigned a section of the school grounds for litter pickup by the Principal. Prior to Arbor Day the Principal will select the winning class for this program and the school will be presented a live tree from our Greenhouse to be planted in the school area. The tree will have some identification as to which class won the award for that year. In this manner we will be encouraging student semWWII "We're Building a Beautiful Tomorrow" Page 2 - Minutes of Meeting Held March 21, 1988 participation in pride in their school and the trees awarded to that school will enhance the landscaping around the playground area. This will also work nicely with the Arbor Day and "Tree City USA" activities. While there are some 17 elementary schools in HEB, this particular program will be primarily for the elementary schools in Euless. We will cooperate with any other city in the system if they are interested in a similar program. The Woodlands area has completed their tree project of planting some 117 trees at strategic locations in their neighborhood. Bob Phillips mentioned that several people need special recognition for their volunteer work on this project. Discussion was held regarding the type of recognition we should provide. Suggestions were made that we consider the certificates - similar to the ones awarded in the past by the City which would recognize these people as proud participants toward their contribution to the "Tree City, USA" program and providing a beautiful environment in the City of Euless, which will be enjoyed now and by future generations. An article from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram "Cheers & Jeers" column was read. It commended the recent efforts of parents and teachers of the North Euless Elementary School at Harwood in cleaning up and planting shrubs around the school. It was suggested that the volunteer hours for this project and the Woodlands' project be included in our count of volunteer hours. Bruce Simpson reported on his progress in our recycling efforts. He has talked with both Mr. Yeargins and Mr. Averitt and plans to follow-up on this project. Discussion was held as to methods of recycling and appropriate location for the equipment. Jay Heilman reported on the meeting held with Southwestern Bell Telephone. We gave them some 12 projects including one to coincide with our Midway Park development which would provide playground and facilities for the handicapped. The program the Company would like to pursue will be an overall project which includes arts, beautification and other areas. We hope to have a project that fits within their criteria. Some follow-up will be made on the Arco Lines which currently exist on the frontage property of the City Hall. Bob Phillips volunteered to plan a landscaping plan for that area. Discussion was held on the vacant property south of Highway #10 to see if it was feasible to utilize the area for beautification. Mr. Bob Perry volunteered to research this area and report to the Committee his findings. Bob Phillips reported that he sent out letters to volunteers on the flower beds on Highway #10. He picked some 3000 lbs. of trash/litter from approximately 22 miles of the highway. He is watering and fertilizing the beds. He has re- moved the junipers from Highway 157 planters and replanted them with petunias. We have lost two volunteers on "Main Street" -- The Dog House and Sharon & Ron Couch. Bob mentioned that Lynn Shackleford was instrumental in getting a trash picker-upper for his area. This machine holds several trash containers and will speed up trash pickup. Mr. Hight mentioned that he will be contacting various people including some who have done volunteer work on their own, to invite them to join our Committee. He will be concentrating on attracting new members. Our need is great and we feel the people are out their - we just need to reach them. Page 3 of Minutes of Meeting held March 21, 1988 ''1 Marland Ernest presented some suggestions on trash pickup to coincide with the April statewide "Great Trash Pickup" program. He suggested we promote the program involving City employees and Staff with different assigned locations and sponsors. The project could be advertised thru the newsletter, the water bill and newspaper, if possible. The Mayor of Euless could issue a proclamation proclaiming this day as trash pickup day for the City of Euless. Discussion was held on these suggestions and efforts are being made to see that we can get this program into action within an effective time frame. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.