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Lands waters club’s efforts |
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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 |
Detail sought on projects for Wapak’s beautification
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
Two Wapakoneta beautification projects received verbal backing from members of a Wapak-oneta City Council committee, but they withheld a commitment of funding until more information is provided.
Lands and Buildings Committee members discussed two projects — one at the Wapakoneta City Administration Building and one for Auglaize Street — to be designed and maintained by members of the Roots and Shoots garden club and monetary backing for the projects.
“They have some really good ideas and committee members thanked them for their support, but committee members feel we need a little more detail about what they actually plan to do,” Lands and Buildings Committee Chair Bonnie Wurst said after Tuesday’s meeting. “There was no formal monetary commitment, but the city is definitely interested in them doing the projects.
“The city is also interested in getting new planters downtown,” the 3rd Ward councilor said, “but we would like to have more detailed plans in place before committing any funds to the projects.”
Wurst presented a sketch of work to be completed by Roots and Shoots near the entrance to the Wa-pakoneta City Administration Building. The area would consist of a stone base with shrubs and pavers as well as several die cast plaques honoring distinguised residents of Wapakoneta.
The organization requested $800 for materials and $600 for stones.
2nd Ward Councilor Dave Campbell, a member of the Lands and Buildings Committee, said he would like to meet with members of the club to discuss their plans.
“We are not opposed to the project, but we would like more detail about what they want to do, what the plaques are going to say and when they propose to do the project,” Campbell said.
He suggested the group complete the project in the fall or next spring so the plants have a greater chance of survival instead of trying to survive the typically hot, dry month of July and August.
4th Ward Councilor Dan Graf, the other member of the Lands and Buildings Committee, said club members should be encouraged because they have taken an active interest in beautifying the city.
Graf also said the city needs to reserve the right to develop criteria for having the people to be honored with a plaque and to approve the wording of each plaque.
Mayor Rodney Metz said garden club members intend to maintain the area, and he believes they would be willing to cooperate.
“If the committee is interested in doing the project, supporting the idea and eventually providing them the funding, I am sure they can continue to develop more detailed drawings for the garden and for the plaques,” the mayor said.
Metz said Roots and Shoots members are requesting $200 annually to plant flowers in planters along Auglaize Street from Blackhoof Street to the CSX railroad tracks.
The mayor said the group would like to replace the concrete urns with metal planters, identical to the planters in Heritage Parkway.
They would like the city to commit to matching the number of planters purchased by downtown organizations.
Metz suggested the city purchase all the planters and have the organizations reimburse the city.
Graf requested Roots and Shoots members provide the city with a plan indicating how many planters are needed and the placement of the planters. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 June 2008 )
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