CITY OF PICKERINGTON

TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007

 

REGULAR MEETING

6:00 P.M.

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Ms. Carter called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M., with roll call as follows:  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. McKinley, Ms. Carter, and Mr. Malone were present.  Ms. Shelts arrived at 6:05.  Others present:  Ed Drobina, Diana Fuller, and George Myers.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of March 14, 2007, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Goodrich moved to approve; Mr. McKinley seconded the motion.  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Ms. Carter, Mr. McKinley, and Ms. Shelts voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 5-0.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  Mr. George Myers explained to the Tree Commission about a hobby his family is interested in called letterboxing and asked for permission to place 5 boxes down at the Arboretum.  He stated letterboxing is essentially a combination treasure hunt and adventure for kids and scouts, etc.  The boxes would be hidden at the Arboretum and would contain a stamp, logbook, and any historical and/or nature information that the Tree Commission could provide to educate people about the Arboretum.  He stated that letterboxing would attract visitors who are interested in history, nature and who are environmentally conscious to the Arboretum.  Mr. Goodyear asked how he lets people know about the letterboxing in Pickerington.  Mr. Myers stated that there are two websites for people to visit.  Mr. Malone asked how long the boxes would be there.   Mr. Myers stated they would just stay there and he would check occasionally to make sure they hadn’t been stolen.  Mr. Drobina stated that he would take the proposal to the Service Committee and let them know about the project.

 

Mr. Goodrich made a motion to approve the use of the Arboretum for the Letterboxing project.  Ms. Shelts seconded the motion.  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Ms. Carter, Mr. McKinley and Ms. Shelts voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 5-0.

 


  1. REPORTS.   

A.                 Street Tree Report

Ms. Carter asked Mr. Ellis if they were doing storm damage cleanup.  Mr. Ellis stated the storm damage wasn’t too bad.  Mr. Ellis stated that he has mainly been removing trees for the Diley Road project.  Mr. Goodrich asked how long before that was completed?  Mr. Drobina stated that we are finished up with the trees that need to be removed at this time.  

 

Ms. Carter asked if we’d been down to the see the trees that are about to be removed.  Mr. Drobina stated that they were having a meeting today at 3:00 but it was cancelled because of the rain and has to be rescheduled. 

 

Mr. Goodrich asked if we had received the trees for spring planting yet.  Mr. Ellis stated that we contracted that out and they should be starting with the planting anytime. 

 

     5.    SCHEDULED MATTERS.

                  A.        Tree Preservation Update

Mr. Malone stated that there is nothing new going on right now.  Ms. Carter stated that they are selling the Exxon Station and will the trees be affected there when the new companies move in.  Mr. Malone stated it shouldn’t affect those trees.  Ms. Carter asked if new trees would be planted when the big Exxon sign comes down.  Mr. Drobina stated we would have to look at the area after the sign comes down to see if there is room to plant there.  Mr. Malone stated there was a State Route 256 planting plan from way, way back when the road was first widened.  He stated he wasn’t sure if that still applies but that was one of the things that were supposed to guide street tree planting and development along 256. 

 

Ms. Shelts stated she read that homeowners were upset about possibly losing trees for a project being done in the area.  Mr. Drobina stated that the city is putting in handicap ramps in Mingo but that should not affect any of the trees in Mingo Estates.

 

B.                 Tree Data Base

Ms. Carter stated she passed out a copy of a report she had initially completed and sent it on to Mr. Goodrich.  She stated that the report is strictly for the Ash trees.  Mr. Goodrich stated that he does have the database itself laid out.  Mr. Goodrich continued he does not have the front part completed at this time.  Mr. Goodrich stated that he hopes to have something to show the Tree Commission at next months meeting.

 

C.                 Arboretum.

Mr. Ellis stated he was at the Arboretum and hasn’t seen any damage there.

 

                  D.        Arbor Day

Ms. Shelts stated that Cub Scout Troop 399 would be doing the flag presentation but need to be in and out within one half hour.  Ms. Shelts asked if Mr. Malone could make up a calendar of what basically happens during the year so that things like Arbor Day aren’t done at the last minute, especially if the Tree Commission goes to bi-monthly meetings.  Mr. Goodrich stated the celebration would take place on April 27 at 7:00 PM regardless of the weather.  Mr. Malone stated he thinks it should be decided who is going to talk about Arbor Day, who is going to give information about the tree that is being planted and who will be talking about the dedication to Margie.  Ms. Shelts volunteered to research information on the English Oak.  Mr. Goodrich stated he would offer the welcome introduction.  Mr. McKinley stated he would look up information on Arbor Day.  Mr. Malone stated he would cover the dedication of the tree to Margie Milnor.  Ms. Carter asked if any family of Margie’s would be attending.  Mr. Malone stated that her 2 children would be unable to attend.  Mr. Malone asked if the proclamation has been made up.  Mr. Drobina stated that it is and that it will be read at the April 17 council meeting.  Mr. Goodrich asked if the Mayor would be at the Arbor Day celebration.  Mr. Drobina stated that he would.  Mr. Malone stated notification is given to council but participation is not real good.  Mr. McKinley asked what notification is given to council.  Mr. Malone stated it is usually through this meeting that we encourage invitation at the council meeting when the proclamation is read.  Mr. Drobina stated he has invited the members at the committee meetings he attends. 

 

                 E.          Emerald Ash Borer

There is nothing new going on at this time.

 

F.             Bi-Monthly Meetings

Ms. Carter asked about keeping in touch with the other members in between meetings and if e-mailing members back and forth would be against the rules set up for the Tree Commission.  Mr. Malone stated questions about this process have come up with Linda Yartin. Mr. Malone stated that that issue came up about meeting offsite; if more than two members get together it is considered a meeting and we have to follow the Sunshine Law in terms of announcing it beforehand.  Mr. Malone stated that regarding email Linda Yartin indicated we could correspond by email but could not vote on things or take any official action.  Mr. Goodrich asked if we have to be consistent with the meeting dates.  Mr. Drobina stated we would have to have regularly scheduled meetings.  Ms. Shelts asked whether a special meeting could be scheduled if something comes up that needs addressed or voted on before the next scheduled meeting.  Mr. Malone stated if we followed


the city’s procedure for advanced notification we could do that.  Mr. Malone stated that would beg the question of why are we going to bi-monthly meetings if half the time we need to have emergency meetings in between.  Ms. Shelts stated she thinks it would be a good idea to cut back on the meetings.  Ms. Carter suggested we wait until next month to discuss this issue further.  

 

  1. COMMUNICATION.

Ms. Carter stated she would like to step down as Chairperson.  Mr. Malone asked why she wants to resign.  Ms. Carter stated her term is up this year and there is a problem quickly getting reappointed which would cause problems as Chairperson.  Ms. Carter also stated that she does not believe she wants to be reappointed once her term is up and she is uncomfortable in this position and there are others more qualified to be Chairperson.  Mr. Malone stated he disagrees that other people can do a better job and being Chairperson is how you acquire experience.

 

Ms. Shelts made a motion to allow Ms. Carter to step down as

Chairperson; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.   Roll call was taken with Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Ms. Carter, Mr. McKinley and Ms. Shelts voting “Yea”.  Motion passed 5-0.

 

Mr. McKinley as Vice-Chairman asked for a motion to vote for a new Chairman.  

 

Mr. Malone made a motion to appoint the Vice-Chairman as the new Chairman; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  

 

Ms. Shelts stated she feels Mr. Malone is the most qualified to lead the Commission and he has the most experience and does a wonderful job.  Mr. Malone stated thank you for the kind words and he is willing to do it and has done it in the past, but he feels the most effective way for new members to gain experience on the Tree Commission is by being Chairman.  Ms. Carter stated she agrees with that but the only reason she leans in Mr. Malone’s direction is because he would know how the procedures are set up and the new members would be able to learn from him.

 

After the discussion, roll call was taken with Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Ms. Carter, Mr. McKinley and Ms. Shelts voting “Yea”. Motion passed 5-0.

 

Mr. McKinley asked if there are any motions for Vice-Chairman of the Tree Commission.

 

Mr. Malone made a motion vote Ms. Shelts as Vice-Chairman; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.   Roll call was taken with Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Ms. Carter, Mr. McKinley and Ms. Shelts voting “Yea”.  Motion passed 5-0.

 

 7.  OTHER BUSINESS

No other business.

 

8.    ADJOURNMENT

            Their being nothing further, Mr. Malone moved to adjourn, Ms. Carter seconded the motion.  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Ms. Carter, Mr. McKinley and Ms. Shelts voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 5-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 7:02 P.M. on April 11, 2007.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

___________________________________

Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant

 

 

_____________________________________

Ed Drobina, Service Manager