2025-01-22 WS & CC Meeting Minutes - (Approved)

Home Browse Search

City of Centerville City Council Work Session & Meeting Minutes January 22, 2025 Administrator Statz asked if there was a firm that could be eliminated, and all Council Members concurred that references were not needed for DDA (David Drown Associates). Motion by Council Member Rios, seconded by Council Member Mosher to Table the Item Until the February 12, 2025, Work Session following its discussion. All in favor. Motion carried. 3. Fiore Tree Administrator Statz stated that this is a placemaking initiative that the Parks & Recreation Committee headed up with placemaking being a Strategic Goal of City Council. He stated that the committee looked at several options for placemaking at CornerStone Park. He explained that the park was designed to have a center piece installed originally or at some point. He stated that the original plan from 2007 included a fountain with a granite obelisk which may have been slightly out of hand. He stated that staff had always wanted to circle back to this to have something placed in the middle. He again stated that a number of different options were looked at (e.g. a bust of a prominent individual in the city, a veteran’s memorial, etc.) and what was landed on was the Fiore Tree. He stated that the committee and EDA endorsed the purchase and installation of the tree in an amount not to exceed $25,000. He explained that the tree is more a sculpture/hanging basket, metal tree art piece. Administrator Statz stated that they are custom made with various customization options (e.g. lights, audio, decorative carvings on the trunk of the tree, etc.) or a mesh of sculpture and plants all at the same time. He stated that council approved of moving forward with the project with a more detailed proposal and quote. He also stated that there is no contract in place and council does have the option to keep this item moving forward or go in a different direction. He stated that staff contained background information in the packet and Chairperson Errickson-Grahek is here if you have questions for her. Mayor Golden stated that in all transparency, she was the one that requested that the item be brought back to Council. She stated that her reasoning was the price tag, and she felt that it was quite high hearing from residents and that the city has lost a lot of natural trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer. She also stated that as moving forward with a $25,000 investment up front, then hanging flowers on it and that she felt the city would be limited on the flowers as to were we live due to the colder climate. She felt that when it has flowers on it, it looks nice and when not, it is just a sculpture. She questioned the cost of an irrigation system and stated that little maintenance does not mean no maintenance. She questioned whether it was Council’s direction to continue due to loosing so many trees and potentially we have something that ended up being recycled down the road and that is why she requested it to be placed on the agenda and hearing from residents who wanted to see more trees being planted. She stated that even the parks are pretty sparse on trees and a lot more ash trees are being removed. She provided Chairperson Errickson-Grahek an opportunity to speak. Chairperson Errickson-Grahek stated that it had been a long project for the committee, that she has been in contact with a local firm and has arranged an onsite meeting for February 4, 2025. She stated that at that time she will be provided with pricing and options. She also stated that when EDA stated that they wanted to consider assisting in the purchase or enhancements, the committee felt that was wonderful. Chairperson Errickson-Grahek stated that at the current time, specific pricing was not available. She stated that upon the visit, discussions will take place regarding lighting, seeing the specific trees on site and their availability. She also stated that the tree was a recommendation of a city Maintenance Technician as he was very invested in the parks and has worked very hard on the monument gardens. She reported that the committee is no complete in the process and intend in bring pricing forward prior to any purchase. Council Member Rios asked if any feedback was obtained from residents regarding the tree and Chairperson Errickson-Grahek stated that at times that can be difficult, but she attended four Page 6 of 16