Tree Garden board votes to seek Level 1 arboretum designation, flags America in Bloom fee

At its April 23 meeting in Crescent City, the Tree Garden Board voted to send a proposal to the City Commission asking staff to pursue a Level 1 arboretum designation and to explore joining the America in Bloom program.

Staff told the board the America in Bloom registration for communities under 10,000 people is $1,700 and that the fee has increased since the board last reviewed the program. "If this board would like me to bring [the program] to the commission as we're looking at our budget for next year, I would be more than happy to do that," the staff member said.

The board discussed practical requirements for the arboretum application, including labeling plants and using the annual Arbor Day event to meet the public-engagement component. Board member Lisa Kane DeVito said labeling would mainly require small, public-facing plant stakes rather than expensive signage, and volunteers agreed the labels need not be elaborate.

Following discussion about cost and workload, a motion was made and seconded to refer the arboretum/plant-labeling proposal to the City Commission for review during budget discussions. Chair Liz Gomez recorded the second; one member present voiced "Aye" during the roll call and the motion was carried.

Staff noted one potential funding source that could be reallocated: "I received the $5,750 for this tree being cut, and we still haven't technically spent anywhere," the staff member said, offering that existing set-asides might be used to seed a program if the commission approves. The staff member agreed to bring a package to the commission when the municipality opens its budget workshops.

The referral carries as a next step: staff will prepare cost estimates, example labels and a draft application for the commission to consider in the budget cycle.