Beautification Committee Meeting notes 9/15/26

Attended:  Nancy Dunbar, Carole Betts, Cody Hamann, Sasha Kamper, Barb Mullin, Donisue Rupp, Jean Swanson, Terry Thielen 

Parks: Nancy pulled weeds in all the park sign beds, which were growing as large as the flowers. 

Trees: Memorial trees are being watered by families. The 2  trees in the median near 47th Street that were hit by a vehicle were staked and seem to be doing OK.  Nancy watered Marv’s tree with a bucket during some of the hot days.  Dan Just is now our contact in City Forestry..

Urbandale median: Nancy weeded the bed at 34th St.  The nepeta is flowering again after Carole’s pruning.  Nancy and Mary Ellen continue to walk the median and pick up trash. 

Streetscape:  The new vendor has responded to requests to weed the beds and prune suckers from the trees. Planters suffered from inadequate watering.  Sasha will request a meeting with Cece to discuss options for modifying the SMIDD contract, adding plants that have died and other needs.  Nancy contacted Dan Just about the missing trees in the streetscape.  (Dan said the trees can be replaced and wondered if the businesses would take of the watering – Nancy will check with them.)

Flowers:  Order for 2027 is due October 5th. Nancy is asking for the order by September 30 before she goes on vacation. (She has received an order for the 36th Street bed)

Fall Festival: volunteers are needed for parade, tents, set up, activities, cleanup and more. (Nancy contacted Nick about the problem of vehicles parking on the Urbandale median.  He would provide stakes and caution tape if Beautification would install them around the medians. It is scheduled for 2pm Friday.)

BNA Social: October 7th at Acanthus Lodge with a chili cookoff 5-8pm.  No social in July or August because of Blue Grass Festival and National Night Out.

BNA Board Update: Terry reported that the Blue Grass Festival made $7,000.  

Garden Walk 2027: Currently have 3 confirmed gardens and interest from possibly 4 others, some may be repeats of past Garden Walks.  Will need to choose a date, confirm the ability to sell tickets via the BNA website, contact potential sponsors, and find a designer for poster, bookmarks and tickets.

Next meeting: October 20, 6:30 at 4326 Hickman Road.