Beautification Advisory Board

AGENDA BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD July 28, 2026 @ 4:00 PM Next Meeting: August 25, 2026 BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD Matthew Latoya Vacant Vacant Debbie Piper Vacant Lincolnhol Ervin Hughes Smith Mayor Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Appointee Vacant Vacant Alternate Alternate OSCAR M. CORBIN, JR. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 2200 SECOND STREET, FORT MYERS, FLORIDA For full agenda Packet, please contact the City Clerk’s Office 239-321-7035 Please complete a “Request to Speak” form if you plan to address the Beautification Advisory Board and submit to the recording secretary prior to the start of the meeting. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PUBLIC COMMENT REGULAR ITEMS 1. Approval of June 23, 2026 Minutes 2. Master Plan 3. Beautification Awards Page 1 of 2 AGENDA BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD July 28, 2026 @ 4:00 PM Next Meeting: August 25, 2026 4. Landscape Projects 5. Other Business ADJOURN If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Beautification Advisory Board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Special Requirements: If you require special aid or services as addressed in the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (239) 321-7035 or for the hearing impaired, TDD telephone number (239) 332-2541. Page 2 of 2 .ITEM NO. 1 MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 1|P a g e The Beautification Advisory Board of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, met in regular session at Oscar M. Corbin, Jr. City Hall 2200 Second Street, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Present were Debbie Hughes, Vice Chair, presiding, Board Members, Matthew Lincolnhol, Piper Smith, and Latoya Ervin. Also, present were Abraham Luna, Parks & Beautification Manager. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Hughes called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG AND ROLL CALL Ms. Hughes led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and roll call was taken by Mr. Luna. OATH OF OFFICE Jennifer Myers, City Clerks Office administered the Oath of Office to Latoya Ervin PUBLIC COMMENT REGULAR ITEMS 1. Minutes of the October 28, 2025 Beautification Advisory Board Meeting MOTION: Board Member Lincolnhol moved to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2025 Beautification Advisory Board meeting; seconded by Board Member Smith; motion carried unanimously. 2. Selection of Chair Ms. Smith asked if any Board members were interested in serving as Chair and stated that she would be willing to be considered for the position. Ms. Hughes responded that she thought it would be a great idea and added that she now has Tuesdays off, allowing her to serve as Vice Chair and fill in whenever the Chair is unavailable. MOTION: Board Member Lincolnhol made a motion to select Piper Smith as Chair and Debbie Hughes as Vice Chair; seconded by Board Member Smith; motion carried unanimously. MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 2|P a g e 3. Beautification Awards Ms. Hughes requested updated copies of the Ward maps to assist with the selection of Beautification Award recipients. Mr. Luna stated that he would email the Board a link to the City's GIS mapping webpage displaying the Ward boundaries and would also provide printed copies at the next meeting. Board members discussed that Wards 3 and 4 are next in the rotation for the Beautification Awards. They also noted that commercial properties are eligible for consideration regardless of the Ward in which they are located. 4. Other Business Councilman Liston Bochette discussed his ongoing efforts to recruit new board members. He shared that he recently purchased coffee from Bare Roots for the committees he serves on and encouraged members to support the new local business by stopping in for a cup of coffee. Councilman Bochette also discussed his continued efforts to secure a dedicated budget allocation for each committee. Ms. Hughes referenced projects completed in the past with plans provided by Mr. Lincolnhol. Mr. Lincolnhol stated that the completed projects generally ranged from approximately $5,000 to $7,000 each. Councilman Bochette explained that the City's Public Information Officer (PIO) does not have sufficient staff to support all the City's committees and commissioners, resulting in the need to outsource communications to independent groups. He suggested that the three committees coordinate to highlight one project or initiative each month, allowing him to engage a communications company to help promote the committee’s work. He emphasized the importance of informing the public about the boards' accomplishments and the positive impact they have on the community. Ms. Hughes commented on the City's recent improvements, noting that the community looks better than it has in the past ten years. She specifically highlighted the enhancements made along the bridges and West First Street. Mr. Luna discussed the addition of a data analyst position within the Parks Department, explaining that the department now uses data to evaluate areas that require additional attention and to identify locations that are performing MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 3|P a g e well. He stated that this approach allows staff to allocate resources more effectively. Mr. Luna further explained that landscaping decisions are now driven by data rather than institutional knowledge alone. Using areas such as MLK Boulevard as an example, he described how data helps determine when soil amendments should be made, when plants should be installed to maximize blooming seasons, and timing for planting palm trees and applying fertilizers. He noted that this information is now captured through a data-driven process, ensuring consistency and improving long-term landscape planning and maintenance. Councilman Liston Bochette announced that a City Council meeting and a CRA meeting would be held the following day. He noted that Midtown is one of the CRA's priority project areas and encouraged the committee to begin thinking about ways to further beautify Midtown. He also mentioned that there are numerous projects throughout the city that could benefit from similar efforts, including the Yacht Basin. Ms. Smith presented a proposed Master Plan framework for the committee's review. She explained that, at the October meeting, she committed to developing a proposal to provide greater direction and continuity for the committee's work. She noted that the committee has experienced significant turnover over the years, resulting in some successes but not the level of progress members have hoped to achieve. Ms. Smith explained that the proposed plan consists of two phases. The first phase focuses on establishing a strong organizational foundation in 2026 by assigning ownership of the committee's core objectives to individual members. The second phase, beginning in 2027, focuses on accomplishing the committee's long-term goals, including delivering beautification awards on schedule and completing beautification micro-projects. Ms. Smith stated that the proposal is intended to provide a framework for organizing the committee's efforts and ensuring accountability. The plan outlines five core objectives, identifies goals for both 2026 and 2027, and is intended to serve as a flexible framework that can be amended as needed. Ms. Smith explained that the second component of the proposed Master Plan is an Annual Cycle, which establishes a recurring schedule of milestones to guide the committee's work each year. She stated that, in addition to managing the committee's five core objectives, the Annual Cycle provides a structured MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 4|P a g e process for reviewing progress, preparing an annual accomplishments report, and communicating the committee's work to stakeholders. Ms. Smith explained that the Annual Cycle includes reviewing the committee's objectives at each monthly meeting, identifying and submitting budget requests according to the City's budget timeline, and conducting an annual review at the beginning of each year to confirm or revise the committee's priorities. She noted that the committee would also prepare a year-end report summarizing its accomplishments and measuring progress toward its established goals. Mr. Luna explained that, if additional funding is not approved for future beautification projects, staff could continue developing project plans internally and present them to the committee for review and input. He stated that this approach would allow the committee to fulfill its advisory role by providing feedback on City projects, even if funding for new initiatives is limited. Ms. Smith outlined the committee's five proposed focus areas. She stated that the first priority is to strengthen the committee by recruiting new members, filling vacant seats, appointing alternates, and maintaining sufficient membership to conduct regular meetings. The second priority is to enhance the committee's advisory role on City beautification projects, noting that advising on such projects is one of the committee's primary responsibilities under the municipal code. She added that, to date, many of the projects presented to the committee have been reactive rather than part of a proactive planning process. Ms. Smith explained that each of the committee's core objectives should be assigned to a designated member who would be responsible for advancing that objective and providing progress updates to the committee. She stated that the fourth objective focuses on community-led beautification projects, including smaller "micro-projects" initiated by the committee. Ms. Smith explained that assigning an owner to these projects would help address key planning considerations, such as identifying funding sources, determining whether City support is needed, and establishing any necessary administrative processes. Ms. Smith identified community visibility as the fifth objective, emphasizing the importance of communicating the committee's work and accomplishments to the public. She noted that increasing public awareness would have a significant impact on community engagement and support for the committee's efforts. MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 5|P a g e Mr. Luna stated that the Parks Department could assist with promoting the committee's activities through the City's communication channels, including social media. He explained that the department now has greater flexibility to share project updates with the public. As an example, he referenced a recent tree planting event along North Colonial Linear Boulevard, where 40 trees were planted, bringing the total to 100 trees planted as part of the project. He noted that the department is now better equipped to publicize these accomplishments than it had been in the past. Ms. Smith recommended that the committee adopt the proposed Master Plan framework and assign an owner to each of the five core objectives. She noted that, while assignments may not be made at the current meeting due to limited attendance, each objective should have a designated lead before the end of the year. She explained that each lead would be responsible for developing an action plan, reporting progress to the committee, and advancing the assigned objective. Ms. Smith added that the framework is intended to be reviewed and refined annually as the committee grows and its priorities evolve. Mr. Luna stated that the committee could make a motion to move forward with the proposed Master Plan framework; however, he explained that the proposal would also require review and approval by the Parks and Recreation Director and City leadership before implementation. He noted that, following that review, staff would report back to the committee with the outcome and any next steps. Mr. Luna complimented Ms. Smith on the proposed Master Plan, stating that it clearly outlines the committee's responsibilities under the city ordinance while providing a practical framework for strengthening the advisory board. He noted that the proposal effectively identifies the board's required duties and offers a structured approach for improving the committee's organization, effectiveness, and overall impact. Board members expressed their support for the proposed Master Plan framework prepared by Ms. Smith. Mr. Lincolnhol commented that the proposal included everything the committee needs to move forward. Ms. Ervin also expressed her support and noted that, because she regularly travels throughout the City's wards, she plans to be more observant of properties and potential beautification opportunities. MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 6|P a g e Ms. Smith stated that, as Chair, she would assume responsibility for the first objective, Restore Capacity & Governance. She encouraged board members to review the remaining objectives and consider volunteering to serve as the lead for one of the open items. Ms. Smith noted that the assignments did not need to be finalized at the next meeting but emphasized the importance of designating an owner for each objective to help maintain progress and accountability. Ms. Hughes recommended Mr. Lincolnhol since he’s done a great job on community projects in the past and has the knowledge. Ms. Smith further stated that, pending Mr. Luna's discussion with the Parks and Recreation Director, the City would serve as the lead for the second objective, Code-Required Advisory Role, by presenting beautification-related projects to the board for review and recommendations in its advisory capacity. MOTION: Board Member Lincolnhol move forward with the Master Plan Proposal that Ms. Smith presented, contingent upon review and approval by the Parks and Recreation Director and City leadership, as outlined by Mr. Luna. The motion was seconded by Board Member Hughes; motion carried unanimously. Mr. Luna asked the board members if they were familiar with the Ward meetings held with City Council members and City staff. He noted that these meetings provide an opportunity to educate the public about the City's advisory boards and may help attract new members. Mr. Luna stated that the city has been advertising board vacancies and offered to send board members information and a link to the upcoming Ward meetings. He encouraged members to participate and assist in promoting the Beautification Advisory Board and recruiting prospective applicants. Ms. Ervin shared that she first learned about the board vacancy while attending a Ward 1 meeting, which sparked her interest in serving on the Beautification Advisory Board. Mr. Luna informed the board that the Parks Department has funding available for two internal beautification projects to enhance the landscaping at the Fort Myers Aquatic Center and Riverside. He stated that they are currently preparing some designs to present to the board for review and input at the next meeting. MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 7|P a g e Ms. Smith requested that the five objectives be added to the agenda moving forward if everyone is comfortable with that. Mr. Luna agreed to add the objectives to future meeting agendas. Mr. Luna informed the board that the committee is permitted to hold workshops to provide opportunities for public participation and discussion on specific topics or individual projects. He encouraged board members who are interested in organizing a workshop to contact him by email so the idea could be discussed further. Ms. Hughes noted that she had forgotten to mention the Patron Wall as one of the Beautification Advisory Board's projects. Mr. Luna reported that the Patron Wall was discussed at the most recent Public Art Committee meeting. He explained that the Patron Wall is not considered public art and clarified its intended purpose for the committee. Ms. Smith mentioned reviewing meeting minutes from other committees for inspiration on how the meetings are run and for content. She said that she noticed that the Beautification Awards were mentioned at the Environmental Board meeting. Ms. Hughes referenced previous discussions about developing a pamphlet or similar educational resource to assist homeowners in selecting appropriate trees and landscaping for their properties. She noted that such a resource would help residents who may not have knowledge or experience with landscaping. Mr. Luna discussed a recent volunteer event at Billy Bowlegs Filter Marsh, where approximately 200 trees were planted in a single day with the assistance of volunteers. He offered to begin sending invitations for future planting events to board members, noting that participation would provide an opportunity to support community beautification efforts while also promoting the Beautification Advisory Board. Ms. Smith encouraged board members to review the proposed Master Plan and return to a future meeting with recommendations and feedback. She noted that Mr. Lincolnhol appeared interested in serving as the lead for Objective No. 4, Community Projects. MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 8|P a g e Ms. Ervin stated she is interested in Objective No. 3, Beautification Awards, but indicated that she would need additional information about the program and how it works. Board members discussed the Beautification Awards program, including the nomination and selection process, how the program has operated in the past, and challenges identifying award candidates in Ward 6 due to the prevalence of gated communities. Ms. Smith discussed the need to come up with new ideas and outreach strategies to encourage residents to submit nominations. Ms. Ervin asked about the anticipated timeframe for filling the board's vacant positions. Ms. Smith responded that increasing the board's membership to six members by the end of the year would be a significant accomplishment, noting that the board currently has four members, which is the minimum number required to establish a quorum. Mr. Lincolnhol discussed the visibility of a city-owned lift station located at the corner of Colonial Boulevard and Ortiz Avenue near the Nature Center. He suggested that screening City-owned lift stations with landscaping could be a relatively simple beautification project for the board to consider. He noted that similar facilities on private property are typically screened with hedges or other landscaping. Mr. Luna responded that the city has already landscaped some lift stations, citing a recent project on Old Metro Parkway near a housing development. He stated that City leadership has expressed interest in expanding those efforts where feasible, including the installation of irrigation systems. Mr. Luna explained that while the city strives to screen these types of facilities, funding and irrigation availability are often limiting factors. He noted that maintaining landscaping without irrigation presents challenges and may require the use of water trucks. Mr. Lincolnhol asked whether reclaimed water lines could be used to irrigate landscaping at lift station sites. Mr. Luna replied that it may be possible and offered to compile a list and map of City-owned lift stations to help identify locations that could be prioritized for future beautification efforts. Mr. Lincolnhol commented that screening lift stations throughout the city could be an achievable long-term project through the installation of shrubs and connections to potable or reclaimed water where available. MINUTES–Beautification Advisory Board June 23, 2026 9|P a g e Mr. Luna stated that implementation would require establishing priorities, identifying a funding source, and coordinating with other City departments. He added that even where reclaimed water is available, costs associated with installing a meter and connecting them to the irrigation system would still need to be considered. Mr. Luna said that there will be a lot of projects that we are moving forward with here in the city, and as plans are available to me, I will bring them in for the board can review. Mr. Luna reported that he recently developed a revised City plant palette, noting that the previous version had not been updated since 2001. He stated that the revised plant palette has been provided to the Engineering Department and City project managers for use in future projects and has been adopted with the support of City leadership. Mr. Luna advised that he would distribute the revised plant palette to the board for review and welcome any suggestions or feedback. He added that City leadership's vision is to create landscapes that are more colorful and vibrant, moving away from the previous emphasis on predominantly green, low- maintenance plantings. Ms. Smith commented that the Hill Avenue sidewalk landscaping project turned out very well. Mr. Luna responded that City leadership has embraced greater emphasis on enhanced landscaping and is more supportive of projects that may require additional maintenance to create a more attractive and visually appealing landscape throughout the City. Mr. Luna encouraged board members to observe the recent landscaping improvements throughout the city, including the enhanced planting at City Hall, as examples of the updated landscape approach that incorporates a more diverse and vibrant plant palette. He stated that staff intend to continue implementing this approach on future projects. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, it was moved by Board Member Hughes; seconded by Board Member Lincolnhol; to adjourn the meeting at 4:49 p.m. CITY OF FORT MYERS • Beautification Advisory Board • Proposed Master Plan 2026 CITY OF FORT MYERS • BEAUTIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD MASTER PLAN 2026 Foundation for 2026 · Mission for 2027 Prepared by Piper Smith, Board Member This plan gives the Board a practical, repeatable way to manage its work with its members, the community, and the City from year to year. With several seats vacant and quorum hard to reach, 2026 is focused on the basics: filling seats, meeting consistently, and putting a clear owner on each objective, so the Board can carry out its mission and duties in 2027. Each objective is shown across two years: what we set up in 2026, and what that makes possible in 2027. Mission & Authority Mission. The Board’s core duty, dictated by Municipal Code Sec. 2-93, is to serve the City in an advisory capacity on the landscaping and beautification of public spaces throughout Fort Myers, advancing the City’s visual appeal, community pride, and a greener, more beautiful city. In that advisory role, the Board: • advises on landscaping for City-owned, managed, or leased property; • recommends beautification along roads and streets; and • reviews, at the design stage, landscaping projects over $5,000 in city rights-of-way and parks. Beyond the Code, the Board has created two programs to pursue this mission more actively, and can scale them to its capacity and funding: • Beautification Awards Program: recognizing outstanding residential and commercial landscaping. • Community Beautification Projects: micro-projects that beautify overlooked public spaces via landscaping. The Five Objectives, Their Owners & Their Two-Year Arc Objective Owner 2026 Plan 2027 Plan 1. Restore Capacity & Chair (all Seat the board, elect a Chair, fill A full, dependable board able to Governance members Wards 2/3/6 and alternates, lock in a carry the mission. support) reliable monthly cadence and quorum. 2. Code-Required Parks & Stand up a standing “any projects Deeper, earlier Board involvement Advisory Role Beautification over $5,000 to review?” line on every in advising City beautification Mgr. agenda so the trigger never gets projects. (staff-triggered) missed. 3. Beautification Open Rebuild the machinery: assess and Every award issued on time, all Awards lay framework for sustainable award year, driven by community rotations, a public nomination nominations. pipeline, an awards package and, if needed, updated beautification criteria. 4. Community Projects Open Define the process and budget needs Execute at least 2 micro projects, for identifying and executing in close coordination with the City. micro-beautification projects within the city. 5. Community Visibility Open Identify and build implementation Implement and activate the plans for 3 community engagement engagement channels; monitor channels (website landing page, and track engagement to ensure cross-board collaboration, success. beautification sponsorships, etc.). Owners are confirmed when the Board adopts this plan; the roster updates in the minutes, not by rewriting the plan. Draft for adoption • June 23, 2026 • Page 1 of 2 CITY OF FORT MYERS • Beautification Advisory Board • Proposed Master Plan 2026 The Annual Cycle: Year in Review & Master Plan This plan is not a one-time document. Each year the Board looks back with a Year in Review and forward with a Master Plan, on set dates so the practice survives turnover and stays aligned with the City’s budget calendar: When What happens January meeting (4th Tue) New board seated and Chair elected; that year’s Master Plan adopted and owners assigned, continuing objectives re-confirmed each year, not carried over by default; the prior year’s Year in Review presented. Every monthly meeting Owner report-outs on each objective (the standing agenda line below). By the April meeting The year’s budget needs defined, and any funding request prepared, ahead of the City’s budget process. Confirm the City’s internal deadline. November / December Draft the Year in Review and the next year’s Master Plan, ready to adopt in January. 2026 is a transition year: this plan is adopted in June, so the first full January cycle begins in January 2027, when the Board presents its 2026 Year in Review and adopts its 2027 Master Plan. How the Board Will Keep This Moving • Adopt & assign core objectives: Align on the core objectives of the board and establish an owner for each objective. • Implement the annual cycle: Commit to the Year in Review and Master Plan rhythm above as a standing practice, so the Board’s direction and accountability carry forward each year regardless of who is at the table. • Standing report-out: Every meeting carries a standing line for each objective; the owner gives a status update to include: action items from previous meeting, work completed since the last meeting, in progress items or blocked and needing a Board vote. • Sunshine-compliant: Owners may work on their objective individually, or through the Parks & Beautification Manager, between meetings; all discussion among members and all decisions happen in the public meeting. What a Successful 2026 Looks Like Strong execution across all objectives & a strong foundation ready to tackle 2027, including: • Board seated, Chair elected, vacancies filled, and quorum reliable. • Increased advisory engagement using the “over $5k” trigger operating on every agenda with Parks & Recreation. • Beautification Awards framework evaluated, rebuilt, and ready to implement. • Community-projects process and budget needs defined, with two-plus project sites queued for 2027. • Visibility foundation built: three engagement channels chosen, with implementation plans ready to activate in 2027. Draft for adoption • June 23, 2026 • Page 2 of 2 .ITEM NO. 4  21 January 2026 Standard Plant Palette Palms Plant Category Botanical Name Common Name Size at Install Palm Archontophoenix alexandrae Alexandra Palm 10’ CT Palm Sabal palmetto Sabal or Cabbage Palm 10’CT Palm Roystonea elata Royal Palm 5’ GW 10’CT Palm Thrinax radiata Florida Thatch Palm 5’CT Palm Veitchia merrillii Christmas Palm 7’-8’CT Palm Rhapis excelsa Lady Palm 5’OA Standard Plant Palette Trees Plant Category Botanical Name Common Name Size at Install Tree Bursera simaruba Gumbo Limbo 10’ht, 2’’ CAL  21 January 2026 Tree Ligustrum japonicum Japanese Privet 5’-6’ HT MULTI STEM Tree Tabebuia serratifolia Yellow Trumpet Tree 10’ht, 2’’CAL Tree Quercus virginiana Southern Live Oak 16’HT, 3.5’’CAL Tree Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus Silver Buttonwood 8’-10’ HT Tree Nerium oleander Calypso Oleander(Standard) 3 Gallon, 24’’ MIN Standard Plant Palette Shrubs and Shrub Areas Plant Category Botanical Name Common Name Size at Install Shrub Clusia rosea Pitch Apple 10 Gallon, 48’’ min HT Shrub Strelitizia reginae Bird of Paradise 7 Gallon, 24 HT Shrub Chrysobalanus icaco Red Tip Cocoplum 3 Gallon, 24’’ HT Shrub Zamia floridana Coontie Palm 7 Gallon, 18’’-24’’ HT Shrub Hamelia patens Firebush 3 Gallon, 24’’ HT  21 January 2026 Shrub Trinette Variegated Schefflera Arboricola (variegated) 3 Gallon, 24’’ HT Shrub Tripsacum dactyloides Fakahatchee Grass 3 Gallon, 36’’O.C. Shrub Bougainviellea x “Helen Bouganinvillea 3 Gallon, 30’’O.C. Johnson” Shrub Cordyline Fruticosa Red Ti 7 Gallon Shrub Alpinia zerumbet Variegated Giner 3 Gallon Shrub Dianella tasmanica Blueberry Flax Lily 3 Gallon Shrub Bougainvillea ‘Imperial Thai Bougainvillea Imperial Delight 3 Gallon, 30’’ O.C. Delight’ Shrub Carissa macrocarpa “Emerald Emerald Blanket Natal Plum 1 Gallon, 12’’ O.C. Blanket” Standard Plant Palette Ground Covers Plant Category Botanical Name Common Name Size at Install Ground Cover Trachelospermum asiaticum Asiatic Jasmine 1 Gallon Ground Cover Arachis glabrata “Needlepoint” Perennial Peanut 1 Gallon Ground Cover Mimosa strigillosa Powderpuff Mimosa 1 Gallon