City Beautification Board

1 City of Gainesville City Beautification Board Meeting MINUTES September 9, 2025, 5:45 p.m. Historic Thomas Center, Building B 306 NE 6th Avenue Gainesville, FL Members Present: Jim Harper, Lynn Janoski, Sarah Joy, Larissa Kulyk, Eric Milch, Allison Stevens Members Absent: Janet Ray _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER 5:48 PM B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Eric Milch Seconded by Sarah Joy Motion: The City Beautification Board adopt the agenda. Aye (7): Jim Harper, Lynn Janoski, Sarah Joy, Larissa Kulyk, Eric Milch, Janet Ray, and Allison Stevens Approved (7 to 0) C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1. The City Beautification Board Approve the Minutes from the May 13, 2025 Meeting (B) Moved by Jim Harper Seconded by Larissa Kulyk

2 Recommendation: The City Beautification Board approve the minutes from the May 13, 2025. Aye (7): Jim Harper, Lynn Janoski, Sarah Joy, Larissa Kulyk, Eric Milch, Janet Ray, and Allison Stevens Approved (7 to 0) D. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-326 Discussion on the Upcoming Annual Report to the City Commission (B) According to the City Clerk’s request, the Board’s Annual report should address the following questions:  What do you understand the mission of your board to be?  What are the three most important things your board has done during calendar years 2024-25?  What are the three most important things your board is working on right now?  What could the City Commission do to help your board better serve our neighbors?  What else do you need the City Commission to know about your board? Discussion to continue at the next meeting. Recommendation: The City Beautification Board to discuss and take any action deemed necessary. Heard 2. 2025-327 2025-327 City Beautification Board Future Initiatives (NB) Members brainstormed ideas for the coming year: 1. Murals o Explore opportunities for new murals as community art projects. 2. Activation & Collaboration

3 o Serve as a connector between different initiatives and organizations. o Encourage cross-organizational partnerships to maximize impact. 3. Community & Pollinator Gardens o Support gardens in parks and schools. o Provide excellence awards for outstanding efforts. o Organize scavenger hunts and walking tours of gardens. o Discuss Board’s role in maintenance support. 4. Impact Strategy o Decide whether to spread efforts over multiple locations for broad reach or focus on one location for deeper impact. 5. Flower Boxes / Birdhouses for Restaurants o Collaborative model: o One group donates materials. o Another provides time and labor. o Another supplies plants. o Local artists decorate the boxes. o Restaurants provide space and maintain them. o Consider auctioning boxes and/or birdhouses for fundraising. 6. Farmers Markets o Reach out to local farmers markets for partnerships and visibility. 7. Potential Collaborators o The Matheson Museum o Florida Museum of Natural History / Pollinator Program o Project Youth Build o Alachua Conservation Trust

4 o The Giving Garden o The Repurpose Project o UF Fraternities and Sororities o The School Board 8. Life-Achievement Award o Candidate: Dr. Anita Spring (former CBB chair and member, future donor of $30,000 to the Board). 9. Annual Event Format o Consider replacing the traditional Thomas Center ceremony. o Options: a collaborative event at the Hippodrome, Heartwood, or Matheson Museum. Discussion to continue at the next meeting. Recommendation: The City Beautification Board to discuss and take action as deemed necessary. Heard E. PUBLIC COMMENT None. F. MEMBER COMMENT None. G. NEXT MEETING DATE: October 14, 2025, 5:45 PM H. ADJOURNMENT 6:57 PM