CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, APRIL
9, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
None
Street Tree Report
Mr. Malone stated that he noticed in the meeting minutes from one of the committees that input was requested and received from Mr. Ellis on one of the properties for recommendation of tree species. He stated he was pleased that people were conferring with Mr. Ellis during the planning instead of after.
Mr. Ellis stated that he looked at the maps for the Streetscape and he agrees with the trees that they are going to have taken down. Mr. Wiseman stated that they were having a walk through on Friday with Stilson Consulting and Joyce Bushman so he would take the map with him.
A. Street Tree Brochure.
Mr. Wiseman stated that they did find a copy of the brochure but did not know whose computer it came from. Mr. Ellis reviewed the brochure and made a couple of revisions. Mr. Wiseman stated that he talked with the new Public Information Officer who thinks that he has the time to take this over and get something on the website. Mr. Wiseman continued that they are making a little headway and he hopes he will have more information by the next meeting.
B. Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Mr. Malone stated that Ms. Cleary, Mr. Wiseman and himself were present at the Safety Committee meeting. The Safety Committee both supported the ordinance and raised some good questions about it. Because of the questions, there was concern from the committee as to whether to forward this on to council with the recommended changes or if they should try to have it reworked and brought up again later. Mr. Wright and others from the Safety Committee stated that it would take awhile to go through three readings of counsel and recommended that they go ahead and forward the ordinance with their revisions and it could be amended up to the last reading if necessary. Mr. Malone stated that the ordinance had been several years in the making and that he appreciated it going forward. Mr. Malone thanked everyone who had been involved in it. Mr. Wiseman stated that he wanted to make sure that the intent was to have this apply to everything new. Mr. Malone stated that it was listed as development. Mr. Malone continued that the intent was that any development of any type at any site would be covered.
C. Tree Preservation Update.
Mr. Malone stated that there is not much more to report. He continued that in the minutes it was indicated there was a question of how much clearing would continue to be done over at the Young property by the Exxon station. He stated it is clear that they stopped where he was hoping they would stop and Mr. Schultz verified that not much more earth moving would be done.
Mr. Malone stated that all other development issues are on hold now because of the referendums that were passed. Mr. Malone stated they haven’t been contacted and Mr. Schultz stated the developers probably would not be contacting them until those issues are resolved. Mr. Malone stated that the Wagnall’s development behind the post office has been clearly established that the trees that are there will remain.
D. Arboretum.
Mr. Malone stated that after the March 12 meeting, Ms. Cleary, Mr. Wiseman, Mr. Ellis, Kim from Keller farms, and he went out to the arboretum. Mr. Malone stated that the recommendations that were made should be very nice and shouldn’t be that difficult. Mr. Malone asked whether anyone had heard when Keller Farms would start work. Mr. Wiseman stated that the purchase orders have been cut.
Mr. Ellis stated that they are going to make some changes to the trail . Ms. Cleary asked if the tree list was completely updated. Mr. Ellis stated it was not and a lot of trees would be added to that. Ms. Cleary stated that it had been discussed in the past about having a list of trees contained in the arboretum for people or classes that wanted to go and look for trees. Mr. Ellis stated that she could just let him know which trees she wants tagged and he could tag them. Mr. Ellis continued that he could put markers at the trees. Ms. Cleary stated that they could put one marker at each different species. Mr. Wiseman stated that a map of the Arboretum was also something that could be put on the website.
Ms. Cleary asked Mr. Ellis about the fence at the wellfield. She stated that they had talked about planting some trees to cover up the fence. Mr. Ellis stated that he planted some trees there. Mr. Wiseman suggested planting forsythia along the fence to help hide it and that it is fairly inexpensive. Ms. Cleary asked if a sign had ever been put on the gate. Ms. Cleary stated that you could squeeze through that gate and that it could open. Mr. Wiseman stated that there should be a “Danger, High Voltage” sign there, he would check on that.
Ms. Cleary stated that she asked the boy scouts for volunteers to go to the Arboretum to help mulch some of the trees as a volunteer project on Saturday. She stated if it did not rain they would be there from 12:00 to 4:00.
Mr. Malone, Ms. Milnor, Ms. Cleary and Mr. Ellis discussed which types of trees they thought would be nice and where they were going to be planted. Ms. Cleary stated that as you go along the trail and are reading the signs you should be able to see many different kinds of trees as opposed to planting trees that are already along the trail.
E. Arbor Day
Mr. Malone stated that they have the Arbor Day tree. Mayor Postage will read an Arbor Day Proclamation at Council on April 22, 2003.
Ms. Cleary stated that she contacted Brownie Troop 1857 and they have agreed to do the flag ceremony for the Arbor Day celebration. Mr. Wiseman stated that the celebration is set up for Thursday, April 24, 2003 at 7:00 PM and National Arbor day is April 25, 2003. Mr. Wiseman asked whether that takes place at the spot where the tree is planted. Mr. Malone stated that they meet at the Arboretum by the covered bridge with the brownies and will walk down to the site. Ms. Cleary stated that they usually order a plaque for that day. Ms. Cleary continued that a troop always helps with planting the tree and she would like to include the troops name at the bottom of the plaque. Mr. Malone stated that in recent years they have tried to dedicate the particular Arbor Day celebration to an individual who has contributed to the community or contributed to something related to Arbor Day. Mr. Malone asked for ideas on who should be named this year. It was decided that Steve Carr and Sandy Whittington would be honored on the plaque.
Mr. Malone stated that they should talk about the Central Ohio Tree City awards ceremony scheduled on Arbor Day. It is in London, Ohio at 9:00 am at the First United Methodist Church. Mr. Malone, Ms. Milnor, and Ms. Cleary plan to attend.
Mr. Wiseman stated that he put a draft together for the Safety Committee concerning the membership. Mr. Wiseman continued that if they approve the draft, he will forward it to the next agenda.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
___________________________________
Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
_____________________________________
Frank Wiseman, Service Department Director