BEAUTIFICATION BOARD

ANNUAL REPORT TO CITY COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 22, 2008

The Beautification Board meets monthly on the second Thursday of every month at 9:30 AM. The board meets nine months out of the year, from October to June.  The board is made up of seven members. The Beautification Board’s activities through out the year consist of planning and organizing several events that involves community participation.  The board members communicate their concerns and suggestion to the Landscape Superintendents as it pertains to the appearance and up-keep of City’s right-of-way and parks. 

For fiscal 2006-2007 the Beautification Board planed the following events that encourage the community to take pride in beautifying their property and raise awareness among the youth about the importance of trees in the City:

Holiday Lights Award

The Beautification Board tours the City during the holiday season to select the properties that are aesthetically decorated.  This year, the tour took place on December 4^th and 5^th 2007.  The residents of the City of Hallandale Beach look forward getting recognition for the time and effort spent lighting up their neighborhood. 

Preparation for this event includes judging the properties, purchasing prizes for the award recipients and gift wrapping the prizes.  This year, the Chairperson realized a substantial savings by purchasing the prizes at a considerably lower price than the year before.  The 2007 Holiday Lights Award Ceremony took place on December 19^th.  Unlike the other years, this ceremony took place in the evening.  The attendance was phenomenal and beat the previous year’s record.  The Board recommends that this award ceremony continues to be an evening event to encourage residents participation.

Valentine’s Day Flower Distribution

The Beautification Board members take the time to bring a little cheer to the seniors of the community who need to know that they are thought of in their golden age.  On Valentine’s Day, the board members deliver flowers to the seniors at Hepburn Center and at the Ocean Plaza Retirement Facility.

Arbor Day Poster Award

This event took place in conjunction with the Arbor/Earth Day Celebration at the June 2, 2007 Commission Meeting.  Students from the Hallandale Elementary are invited to participate in a drawing contest.   Eighteen (18) students, from kindergarten to 5^th grade participated in the contest.  The drawings should convey the importance of trees for the community.  The activities for this event include judging the drawings and purchasing prizes for the award recipients.

This event is one of the items that contribute to the City receiving the title of Tree City USA for the past fifteen (15) years.

Beautification Award

The Beautification Award event took place at the June 20^th 2007 Commission Meeting.  For the event, the Beautification Board members tour the City to judge the properties with well kept and aesthetically pleasing landscaping.  The residents of City take pride at keeping their property ground well manicured.  This event is a great incentive to encourage all residents to continue beautifying their community. 

In addition to these events the board members discuss several issues at each meeting that pertain to the conditions of the City’s right-of-way and parks.  The Beautification Board agreed to look into participating in the adopt-a-street community program and his in the process of adopting a street in Hallandale Beach.

Henry Hahn resigned from the board and Ada Gerstenhaber was removed.  A new member was appointed Yolanda Mendoza.