The Town of Smithfield Appearance Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 5:00 in the Town Hall Conference Room located at 350 East Market Street, Smithfield, North Carolina. Members Present Katherine Tamer Chairperson Peggy Scott Vice Chairperson Jeremy Davis Anita Liverman Billie Stevens Lenny Branch Public Works Director Staff Present Michael Scott, Town Manager Lawrence Davis Public Works Supervisor Shannan Williams Members Absent Regina Sanders Perry Harris Council Representative Staff Absent Call to Order Chairperson Katherine Tamer called the meeting to order at 5:02pm. Invocation Billie Stevens offered the invocation. Approval of Meeting Minutes January 17, 2017 Vice Chairperson Peggy Scott made a motion, seconded by Billie Stevens, to approve the minutes of January 17, 2017 as submitted. Unanimously approved. Financial Report Lenny Branch reviewed the financial report. Old Business Appearance Commission General Fund Balance $15,000.00 Donate-A-Tree Account Balance $683.86 J. B. George Fund Balance $2,115.00 J.P. George Fund Balance - $1,746.00 NC Community Foundation Cemetery Endowment $0.00 Donate-A-Tree Project Update Lenny Branch informed the member of the Appearance Commission that one new tree has been purchased. In total, 139 Crepe Myrtle trees have been planted with 11 that still need to be planted. Billie Stevens made a motion, seconded by Jeremy Davis, to plant the newest donated Crepe Myrtle tree at the library. Unanimously approved.
Sidewalks replaced along 3 rd street: Start Date Lenny Branch informed the members of the Appearance Commission that the sidewalks are almost complete. There are only two areas on the west side of the street that need to be completed. These areas are in front of SoDoSoPa and the Law Office of O Hale, Narron and Whittington. DSDC Report Billie Stevens updated the Appearance Commission on the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation s monthly meeting. Topics of discussion were as follows: New grant program to replace awnings, parking complaints and a parking study, the construction of the boat ramp, summer concert series planning to possibly include beer sales, the Ham and Yam Festival, cleaning the alleyway on Third Street, and efforts to keep the Johnston County Detentions Center in the downtown area. Thank you notes Update: Chairperson Katherine Tamer displayed the newly printed thank you cards. She expressed her appreciation to Hinson s Printing for the quality of the thank you cards. Social Media Contest Chairperson Katherine Tamer informed the members of the Appearance Commission that she was provided with a best practices for social media sites. It was determined that Shannan Williams would be added as an administrator of these sites. Mrs. Tamer also informed the members of the Appearance Commission that the Instagram social media contest would run from March 1 st thru March 21 st. She has asked Chick-Fil-A to donate a prize for the contest winner. Facebook Page Update Jeremy Davis informed the members of the Appearance Commission that he had created the Facebook page. It was decided that the Instagram would be linked with the Facebook page so the social media outlets would be coordinated. Library Renovation Update: Vice Chairperson Peggy Scott informed the members of the Appearance Commission that she and Anita Liverman have been working on this project. Mrs. Liverman provided a landscape drawing of the area. She explained the following improvements: Market Street Under the existing crepe myrtle, 4 firepower nandina, 4 harbor nandina and 18 variegated liriope would be planted. Where the hollies are going to be removed, 1 crepe myrtle and 4 crimson fire loropetalum would be planted.
Third Street Remove one Hollywood juniper that is closest to the crepe myrtle tree because it is crowding the tree. Trim the weeping yaupon Remove the large hollies and replace with Carissa hollies The large holly on the corner would be replaced with Goshiki Osmathus Unhealthy yaupon would be replaced or trimmed Near the Library parking, trim existing nandina down to 4 inches Under the existing crepe myrtle near the book mobile parking area, liriope would be planted and along the little wall, 3 firepower nandina and 2 yuletide sasanqua would be planted. Beside the alleyway, 5 firepower nandina and 2 crimson fire loropetalum would be planted in one area and liriope and 4 harbour dwarf nandina would be planted in the adjacent bed. Vice Chairperson Peggy Scott questioned how the Appearance Commission felt about maintaining the area once all the improvements were complete. The Library Director does not believe that the upkeep of the outside of the building is her responsibility. Mrs. Scott suggested that the Appearance Commission contact the Library Board of Trustees concerning the expenses associated with routine mulch replacement. Lenny Branch explained that he would be willing to provide the labor for maintaining the landscaped areas, but felt that the Library should contribute funds for mulch material and replacement of plants if needed. There was a suggestion that this item be tabled until the Appearance Commission could discuss this with the Library Board of Trustees. Anita Liverman explained that Lanny from Swift Creek Nursery would only be available to assist with the project for the next two weeks. The Appearance Commission has already voted to complete the Market Street portion of the project with the J.B George Endowment funds. It was the consensus of the members of the Appearance Commission to send a letter to the Library Director to be disseminated to the Library Board of Trustees requesting that they consider paying for the mulch material if the Town provided the labor. Vice Chairperson Peggy Scott questioned if the Appearance Commission wanted to pursue the uplighting of the trees. The approximate cost would be $2,000. Lenny Branch suggested that the lighting be installed before the landscaping work. Peggy responded that this is not something that she feels has to be done right away. Jeremey Davis questioned where the money for the project was coming from. Mrs. Scott responded that J.P. George funds could be used for this project. Billie Stevens made a motion, seconded by Peggy Scott, to spend $637.25 of the JB George Endowment Funds plus any additional funding needed for the mulching and the topsoil for the Library beautification project. Unanimously approved. New Business Mission Chairperson Katherine Tamer explained that projects considered by the Appearance Commission should follow the Mission Statement.
New Flags/Banners Lenny Branch informed the members of the Appearance Commission that there are funds in the current budget to replace some of the banners in downtown. He asked for Billie Stevens to gain input from the DSDC Board. Anita Liverman stated that during the Wayfinding meetings, banners were discussed. She explained that the consultants stated, Banners are ideal for seasonal color or events. They can be used to guide motorist to places of interest or from the outlet center to the downtown area. The design should coordinate with the wayfinding system. Jeremy Davis volunteered to review some options for new banners and bring those back to the Appearance Commission for consideration at the March meeting. Name Plates for Donate a Tree Vice Chairperson Peggy Scott explained that once the donor name plates were installed on the plaque in the Town Hall courtyard, she would take a picture of the plaque and send it to the recipient and the donor. This could spur some interest in viewing the plaque in person. Old Town Hall Building Town Manager Michael Scott informed the members of the Appearance Commission that he had a meeting with the two owners of the old town hall concerning the look of the building. The owners do have a plan for the building in the event that buyer(s) are interested in purchasing their current properties. Mr. Scott stated that the owners are willing to allow the members of the Appearance Commission to tour the building. He asked the members of Appearance Commission to offer ideas, in writing, on cost effective ways to beautify this building making it more presentable. Some initial ideas offered: remove the window frames or glass windowpanes on the lower levels to install Plexiglas, and paint the upper level window plywood so that the plywood is less noticeable. Booker Dairy Road Project Beautification Town Manager Michael Scott informed the members of the Appearance Commission that he recently met with members of the NCDOT concerning the Booker Dairy Road project. During this meeting, staff was asked if the Town would want to be involved in the beautification of that area. It was consensus of the Appearance Commission that they would like to be involved. Chairperson Katherine Tamer volunteered to be the Appearance Commission s representative. Lenny Branch suggested that the design be consistent with the plantings along Hwy 70 West. Newsletter Curb Appeal Column Chairperson Katherine Tamer suggested that a monthly column be submitted for the Town s newsletter. Based on her knowledge of plants and gardening, Mrs. Tamer asked Anita Liverman if she would be willing to submit articles for the newsletter. Mrs. Liverman agreed to be responsible for this project.
Holiday/ Historic Home Tour/Splash Pad/Dog Park Chairperson Katherine Tamer informed the members of the Appearance Commission that she would like to do one big project. Suggestions were a home tour, construction of a splash pad or construction of a dog park. She explained that in order to successfully conduct a home tour, the Appearance Commission would have to collaborate with other organizations. It was the consensus of the Appearance Commission to pursue the idea of a dog park. Lenny Branch informed the members of the Appearance Commission that the shrubs along the Ava Gardner Museum had been removed. Adjournment Hearing no further business, Billie Stevens made a motion, seconded by Peggy Scott, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:26 p.m.