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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2016 Item 13, CooperCOUNCIL MEETING: Q 5- 0-S-2,Qt6 ITEM NO.: 13 To: Maier, John Paul Subject: RE: America In Bloom MAY C3 ?016 AC — Item 13 From: Allan Cooper _ Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 9:19 PM To: E-mail Council Website Subject: America In Bloom Regarding: Item 13: America in Bloom National Awards Program To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members From : Allan Cooper I heartily endorse the opportunity to participate in America in Bloom by inviting two judges to spend two days in San Luis Obispo this summer to tour the City and prepare an evaluation. The judges' report would likely identify potential beautification projects. I understand that it is essential to the City's participation to have a "champion"; a citizen or citizens or a civic group in San Luis Obispo who is willing to commit to launching and leading a volunteer effort. I was flattered that Mayor Marx approached me about becoming that "champion". However, I will be residing in Port Townsend, WA through the coming summer months (when the two judges would likely be San Luis Obispo) and will be returning to San Luis Obispo in November and this means that I will miss attending the October 5-8 Arroyo Grande America in Bloom Symposium. Nevertheless, I've suggested to Mayor Marx that the Obispo Beautiful Association (which is currently inactive) might be interested in being that civic group willing to commit to launching and leading this volunteer effort. I've emailed and spoken in person to Pierre Rademaker about this because Pierre will be in San Luis Obispo through October and he has served ably on the Obispo Beautiful Awards Committee as well as on the SLO Downtown Association Board of Directors. If Pierre and OBA are unable to undertake this role, I am recommending that you consider enlisting the help of the Downtown Association in this worthwhile endeavor. Your staff report gives a very thorough description of America in Bloom. However, after visiting their website, I attempted to summarize (see below) America in Bloom in greater detail. I hope you might find this summary helpful. America In Bloom • America in Bloom is a national awards program for towns of similar size. • It's more than an awards program, it's a consultation with experts. • America in Bloom provides a framework for improving your town through the combined efforts of many people. • Results are visible, long-lasting, and up lifting. • AIB is the only program that brings together a wide variety of people dedicated to improving the quality of life in a town. 1 • It is the only awards program that sends a team of two specially trained judges to personally visit your town, provide coaching and mentoring, and provide a detailed written evaluation. • Visible, positive changes • Better cooperation among business, government, and residents • Everyone works toward common goals • Information and cultural exchanges with other towns • A detailed evaluation with many recommendations Our Vision America in Bloom envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work, and play— benefiting from colorful plants and trees; enjoying clean environments; celebrating heritage; and planting pride through volunteerism. Our Mission America in Bloom's mission is to promote nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. History • Patterned after French, British and Canadian programs • Similar programs in Scotland, Australia, Japan, Czech Republic, Ireland ■ AIB's first awards program was in 2002 • Since 2002, 235 participating towns and cities in 40 states. • The smallest is Shipshewana, IN with -600 residents, the largest is Chicago, with nearly 3 million. More than 22 million people total in the participating towns. Categories Urban forestry Tidiness Turf & ground cover Landscaped areas Heritage preservation Environmental awareness Floral displays Community involvement Four Pillars of Livable Communities Horticulture Heritage Environment Community involvement Organizing a Local Contest Many entrants find it beneficial to organize a "mini -contest" to raise awareness and participation. There are several ways to organize this type of event so that it fits your entry classification and goals. The objectives of a local contest are to • Increase awareness of the national awards program and its direct and indirect benefits to the environment, the entrant and to the quality of life. • Promote the development of ornamental horticulture. • Encourage the promotion of tourism. • Create opportunities for residents' participation. Targeted audiences include • Residents • Businesses • Public institutions (schools, libraries, churches) • Neighborhoods • Civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimists, Jaycees, Young Professionals and many others) Competition categories can be modified to your target audience; here are just a few examples • Balconies in Bloom Containers in Bloom • Best Bloomin' Business Best Bloomin' Mobile Home • Churches in Bloom • Most Prolific Vegetable Garden Start planning 1. Register your community by February 28. 2. Form a local committee. 3. Survey, plan and implement. 4. Host the judges. 5. Attend the Symposium and Awards program; celebrate your achievements San Luis Obispo's possible involvement The deadline to register as contestants was February 28, 2016, but there is still an opportunity to participate by inviting two judges to spend two days in San Luis Obispo this summer to tour the City and prepare an evaluation. The judges' report would likely identify potential beautification projects. Essential to the City's participation is enlisting a "champion"; a citizen or citizens or a civic group in San Luis Obispo who is willing to commit to launching and leading a volunteer effort. This year the Arroyo Grande in Bloom is hosting the 2016 America in Bloom Symposium October 5-8. Because Arroyo Grande does not have suitable conference and hotel space, they have booked the Embassy Suites as the host hotel.