Milton council backs pilot 'Yard of the Season' and asks staff to set rules

Spears introduced the item on the yard-recognition program and turned the discussion over to a council member and Bethany, who proposed launching a pilot "Yard of the Season" starting July 1 with themed rounds (patriotic July, fall October, December holiday lighting).

Bethany said the campaign would be launched on the city's social media and with a news release, using a QR-coded form to accept nominations and a pre-vetting step to prevent duplicates. "We are basically going to launch this on our social media," she said, adding staff would gather submissions, vet them and send finalists to council for a vote or recognition.

Council asked about voting logistics after Bethany said the first vote might be held electronically because of the July 4 calendar conflict. A council member reported the city attorney advised against electronic voting and provided two options in a memorandum: staff selection with council recognition (no vote), or staff evaluation and placement of nominees on the public meeting agenda for council approval. Council members generally favored a staff-selected approach with recognition, and staff said they would return with a formal program description, proposed resolution or policy and a plan for advertising the pilot at the next council meeting.

The item will return to a regular council agenda with formal program parameters, job of advertising and an implementation timeline.