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Committee accepts donated plantings for medians but flags signage for council approval
Summary
The Parks & Recreation Committee said a local nursery pledged donated plants for two medians and discussed lighting and mulch plans; staff warned that donor signage or sponsorships would require a city council-approved program before permanent signs go up.
The Parks & Recreation Committee on Dec. 9 accepted a donation of plants from a local nursery for two medians at Harrison and Gulf Boulevard, and discussed planting, lighting and signage — but staff said any sponsorship signage would need formal council approval.
Committee member (S1) told the group he had spoken with a Wilcox nursery supervisor who "agreed that they certainly would provide the plantings down there at Harrison on those two medians" and said the committee would pick up and plant the donations. Members discussed using matching plantings across the three medians and favored low-maintenance native choices such as "lipstick" plants.
The committee also debated whether to place donor signage. Staff member (S6) cautioned that while the town can accept donated plants, "posting a sign out there" as part of a sponsorship would require an approved sponsorship program and a signed agreement to ensure fair treatment across potential sponsors. "We would have to get council approval for a sponsorship program for the medians," S6 said, and added the city attorney should review any proposed agreement.
On landscaping logistics, members considered planting in pots versus in-ground planting, adding topsoil and mulch, and installing three Bluetooth-enabled, solar uplights per median so the trees can be lit seasonally. S3 described the lights as programmable via an app to change colors for holidays. The committee asked public works to test and report back on the lighting.
Committee members also discussed temporary, non-signage donor recognition: S4 proposed a thank-you in the city newsletter or on the website while the sponsorship policy is developed, and staff agreed that an acknowledgement would be acceptable in lieu of permanent signage.
Next steps: staff will compile example sponsorship agreements (including from Largo), have the city attorney review the proposal, and return with a recommended approach to present to the council (target: January council meeting). The committee plans to revisit planting logistics and installation timing in early spring (February–March).
The committee recorded no formal vote on the donation beyond agreeing to accept the plants and pursue the policy path for signage; further council action will be required before any sponsor signs are installed.
