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Keep Athens‑Clarke County Beautiful board approves tree grant, funds educational materials and flags illegal dumping uptick
Summary
At its March 4 meeting the Keep Athens‑Clarke County Beautiful board approved a $6,352 Rotary grant for trees, authorized up to $550 for 28 compost books and $300 for Green Life awards, completed a $25,000 transfer into a 13‑month CD and noted an increase in illegal dumping in the community.
On March 4, 2026, the Keep Athens‑Clarke County Beautiful board met via the posted Synovus stream and approved routine minutes and several funding requests while noting a rising local problem with illegal dumping.
The board unanimously approved the February minutes after a motion from Keela Canavaggio and a second from Sara Clarke. Lorenza Chico Rozier presented the Treasurer’s report, noting that $25,000 was moved from the money market into a newly opened 13‑month certificate of deposit; Joseph Stunzi moved to approve the report and Brian Santos seconded. The board also reviewed written revenue and expense details showing a total organization balance of $57,620.06 as of Feb. 28, 2026 (Checking $9,415.42; Money Market $23,204.64; CD $25,000.00).
Executive Director Stacee Farrell told the board that Keep Athens‑Clarke County Beautiful received a $6,352 Classic City Rotary grant to buy trees: six Red Rocker crape myrtles for Olympic Drive and six dogwoods for ACC Animal Services. Farrell also summarized recent fundraising results, including $1,691.50 from a Chuck‑A‑Puck event and mixed results from a Greek‑night fundraiser, and noted expenditures on signage for the LWYL and Litter League programs. The board approved the Executive Director’s report on a motion by Joseph Stunzi, seconded by Keela Canavaggio.
The board approved two specific funding requests brought by staff. Members authorized up to $550 for 28 World of Rot compost books for local green schools and environmental education programs; the staff request listed the need at $532, and Michelle Roberts‑Kelterborn moved the $550 allocation with Catie Floyd seconding. The board also approved $300 for Green Life awards, gifts and snacks on a Michelle Roberts‑Kelterborn motion seconded by Catie Floyd. All recorded motions passed with “all in favor and none against” noted in the minutes.
Committee chairs provided brief updates: Joseph Stunzi (Business & Industry) reviewed plans for the Beautiful Business awards and a possible sponsored cocktail event; LaDarius Thomas (Events) reported that a March 14 karaoke night was postponed and staff are planning a Daffodil Disco for April 1; and Ezra Schley (Outreach/PR) reported LWYL grant activity (three grants totaling $1,500 so far in the fiscal year) and upcoming Litter League events. The outreach discussion included steps to publicize volunteer opportunities through ACC Leisure Services, United Way, NextDoor and school groups and a request that code enforcement be alerted so cleanup signs are not removed.
Under new business the board agreed to continue the Rock Lobster fundraiser and flagged “an uptick in illegal dumping” as a local issue to monitor; board members were encouraged to join staff at tabling events to increase visibility and volunteer recruitment. The meeting closed on a motion by Joseph Stunzi with Keela Canavaggio seconding.
The board listed upcoming events including rescheduled AAH pickup (March 14), Litter League dates (March 28 and April 22), Daffodil Disco (April 1), Green Life Awards (April 16) and ICAW (May 3–9).
