CITY OF PICKERINGTON

TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2005

 

REGULAR MEETING

5:30 P.M.

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Ms. Hurley called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M., with roll call as follows:  Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Hurley, and Ms. Carter were present; Mr. Malone and Ms. Milnor were absent.  Mr. Malone arrived at 5:45 P.M.  Others present:  Ed Drobina, Gregg Ellis, Diana Fuller and several high school students.

 

2.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES of July 13, 2005, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Goodrich moved to approve; Ms. Carter seconded the motion.  Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Hurley, and Ms. Carter voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.

 

3.   COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  Ms. Hurley explained the purpose of the Tree Commission to the high school students.

 

      4.   REPORTS.    

A.                 Street Tree Report

Mr. Ellis passed out a Tree Maintenance report for the Tree Commission to look over and decide if they want to put it on the Internet.  Ms. Hurley asked how many trees have been planted and watered.  Mr. Ellis stated they are watering the trees at the Arboretum and also at the homes where the owners haven’t moved in yet.  Mr. Ellis stated that the City plants the trees, leaves a watering paper for the residents because they are required to water the trees.  Mr. Ellis stated that the City planted over 500 trees last year.  Ms. Hurley asked if most of the trees just planted were planted in new subdivisions?  Mr. Ellis stated that the City plants trees twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.  Mr. Ellis stated they are figuring out all the new houses and the new developments. 

 

Ms. Hurley asked if they are chipping brush.  Mr. Ellis stated that they are still chipping brush from the ice storm in December, 2004. 

 

Ms. Hurley asked why a Hawthorne tree in Cherry Hill was removed?  Mr. Ellis stated that someone ran over it.  He stated the tree would be replaced if the owner calls and requests it.

 

5.   SCHEDULED MATTERS.

A.        Tree Preservation Update

Mr. Malone asked if Mr. Ellis had a chance to look at the area behind the development across from Graeters.  Mr. Malone stated that most of the trees still look alive, but he hadn’t had a chance to look up close.  Mr. Ellis stated that he hasn’t had a chance to look at them.  Mr. Ellis stated it could be a year or two before the damage starts to show.  Ms. Hurley stated that the Tree Commission has the ability to fine the company that damaged the trees or have them replace the trees.

 

                  B.        Arboretum.

Ms. Hurley asked if Alicia Briggs had finished her project down at the Arboretum.  Mr. Ellis stated that no work has been started as of yet.  Ms. Hurley stated she would call and find out what was going on with her Girl Scout project.

 

Ms. Hurley asked what needs to be done at the Arboretum this Fall.  Mr. Ellis stated that some name tags for the trees need to be replaced.  Ms. Hurley asked if Keller Farms was finished with their projects.  Mr. Drobina stated that they were.  Mr. Drobina stated that the trashcan is now down at the Arboretum.

 

6.   COMMUNICATION

No comments.

 

7.   OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Malone asked if they had heard anything about the development plans for the Diley Rd. extension yet?  Mr. Drobina stated he hasn’t seen any drawings.  Mr. Drobina stated he was supposed to meet with Kevin from Stilson sometime at the end of the month.  Mr. Drobina stated he knows they are going to put in some Boulevards with the islands in them but doesn’t believe they are putting trees in them. 

 

Mr. Goodrich asked what was going on with the Courtright extension?  Mr. Drobina stated that is still in Service where they have a preliminary drawing that they are going back and forth with the developer and where the roads are going to be and the alignment of it.

 

Ms. Hurley asked if something would be built on the corner where the old Diley came out onto Hill Road.  Mr. Goodrich stated that an Appleby’s would be built there.  Mr. Drobina stated that two or three things are going around that might be put there but supposedly that property did sell just last week.

 

Mr. Goodrich asked if there was any tree impact along the pond at the Windmiller extension at Refugee.  Mr. Drobina stated that he didn’t think there were any trees there.  Mr. Ellis stated there wasn’t much to save in that area.

 

Ms. Carter stated that there was question from a neighbor asking if the Cherry trees that were taken down would be replaced in the strip in between the roads on Ramar and Pickering.  Mr. Ellis stated that a tree on Pickering would be replaced. 

 

Ms. Hurley asked Ms. Carter about what she learned at a seminar she attended in July.  Ms. Carter stated she learned about the different types of soils and when they build a home they strip away all the good soil and you are left with clay.  Ms. Carter stated that they are trying to get people to stop putting too much mulch around their trees causing roots to rot and insect infestation.

 

Ms. Hurley stated that there is a TCI tree expo coming up at the Columbus Convention Center on November 8th through the 11th.

 

      8.   ADJOURNMENT

            Their being nothing further, Mr. Goodrich moved to adjourn, Ms. Carter seconded the motion.  Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Hurley, Mr. Malone and Ms. Carter voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 4-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:10 P.M. on September 14, 2005.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant

 

 

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Ed Drobina, Assistant Service Director