At the forefront of the council’s agenda was the advancement of a city beautification project, particularly the planting of native species in downtown medians. The council unanimously approved a list of recommended plants, including mu grass, fakahatchee grass, sunshine ligustrum, rosemary, and vitex. The project aims to create visually appealing landscapes, notably around the Tesla station, where an experimental planting will precede broader implementation. Input from a commercial landscaper, Richard Boyz, influenced the final selection, emphasizing the aesthetic potential of blue rosemary and dwarf varieties of fakahatchee grass.

Discussions extended to the potential collaboration with local gardening groups, such as the Garden Club and Master Gardeners. While the Garden Club’s capacity for physical labor was questioned, their role in advisory and seed donation was acknowledged. Additionally, the involvement of high school clubs like the Key Club was considered to ensure safe and effective execution of planting activities. The council also debated plant pricing, comparing supplier rates with the Master Gardeners’ competitive offerings, notably a $9 vitex tree, which could lead to cost savings.

In conjunction with the beautification efforts, the council addressed the need for effective signage at the intersection of Tenth and Baldwin to encourage downtown exploration. Although the urgency to finalize designs was noted, members admitted to being unprepared and agreed to revisit the topic with concrete suggestions in the subsequent meeting.

Tree planting initiatives were another focus, with discussions highlighting the acquisition of cypress trees from Advanced Nursery. A proposal to plant multiple tree species, including live oaks, white oaks, and hickory trees, was approved. The council accepted a bid from Advanced Nursery for twenty “monster cypresses,” with favorable pricing contingent on logistics support from the nursery. The survival rate of 70% for planted trees was deemed acceptable, and the importance of selecting species suited to the environment was underscored.

The meeting also featured public comments, including appreciation from Carol Andonia of the Walton County Prevention Coalition for the city’s tobacco-free parks ordinance. While the ordinance was yet to be codified, the council discussed signage to communicate the new regulations effectively, favoring positive messaging over prohibitive language.

Mayor Bob Campbell inquired about the status of a proposed dog park, leading to discussions on cost comparisons and location challenges. The necessity of integrating the park’s development with broader city planning efforts, particularly the new city hall’s location, was emphasized. Past community use of the site and potential highway re-routing were also considered, highlighting the council’s strategic planning approach.

Further, the council evaluated a grant award from the Florida Forestry Capacity Grant, aimed at establishing an urban orchard. The grant will fund tree planting and educational programs on tree maintenance, contributing to the city’s sustainability goals. The importance of timely planting, irrigation, and compliance with state mapping requirements was noted, with plans for ongoing discussions as the project progresses.