The most pressing topic was the introduction of a designated tree beautification fund, which would allow for donations from businesses and individuals. The fund is designed to support various beautification projects, with the city matching donations up to $5,000. This initiative sparked a discussion about the tax-deductibility of donations and the necessity of clear communication with donors. Members highlighted the importance of managing donor expectations by ensuring that contributions could be redirected to other approved projects if a specified one were not feasible.

The council’s deliberations on park maintenance primarily focused on Chipley Park, with a proposal to create a master plan to guide future enhancements. This plan would prioritize marking utilities and planning plantings, emphasizing quick visible improvements to garner public support. The need for a cleanup effort was underscored, with local organizations like Walton Middle School’s Anchor Club and Scouting of America being recruited for volunteer hours. The council acknowledged the ongoing challenge of limited manpower for park maintenance, considering the hiring of an arborist as a potential solution.

Arbor Day planning was also a significant agenda item, with the tradition of planting trees continuing as a symbol of community engagement. Decisions were needed regarding which type of tree—longleaf pine or live oak—would be used for the ceremony. The council discussed logistics such as securing funding for a memorial plaque and ensuring the placement did not interfere with lawn maintenance.

In parallel, the conversation on park aesthetics extended to the consideration of a kneewall painting project and the replacement of malfunctioning string lights in Baldwin, which had been installed by the Community Redevelopment Agency. The council explored the possibility of investing in better-quality, commercial-grade lights, favoring classic clear bulbs for their reliability and durability.

The council also examined the topic of RGB lighting to enhance public spaces year-round, debating the types of lights suitable under airspace restrictions and considering the practicality of using existing Christmas lights for decorative and functional purposes.

Additionally, the meeting covered the maintenance of Highway 90 medians, where the council discussed previous proposals for landscaping enhancements. They considered hiring landscaping crews inspired by successful examples from other towns. Immediate actions such as weeding and applying pine straw were identified as necessary to improve the medians’ appearance while a more plans was developed.

Community involvement was a recurrent theme, with one member noting the positive impact of volunteers from local organizations like Rotary, who had adopted flower beds, contributing to the city’s beautification efforts. The council expressed gratitude towards individuals like Mary Ray Harrison, who had remade bows for downtown wreaths, exemplifying community engagement.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of priorities, emphasizing the tree donation project, projection lighting, and Chipley Park cleanup as immediate focuses. The council aimed to have actionable plans in place for these initiatives, targeting completion by February to align with the upcoming planting season.