CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, JULY
11, 2007
REGULAR MEETING
6:00 P.M.
A. Street Tree Report
Ms. Shelts asked if all the trees on Diley Road being removed by the electric company would be replanted. Mr. Drobina stated for the Diley Road Project there was no funding put in it to replant trees so that will be a project after the road is widened. Mr. Drobina stated that the trees being removed now are the ones that will be in conflict with the power lines. Mr. McKinley stated that landscaping was not included at all in the Diley Road Project. Mr. Malone asked if anyone checked with ODOT to see if there was anything available since they had funded that sort of thing in the past? Mr. Drobina stated he thought Jennifer had checked into it and he would ask her about it.
5. SCHEDULED MATTERS.
A. Tree Preservation Update
Mr. Malone stated that they did get a revised plan for the area next to the high school. He stated there was some improvement with the reduction in the number of trees to be removed. He stated the plan called for several hundred trees to be brought down and they have reduced it by a couple dozen. Mr. Malone stated they did shift a couple of buildings. Mr. Malone stated that it was somewhat of an improvement from before. Mr. Malone stated if it does proceed through Planning and Zoning we would watch it closely.
B. Tree Data Base
Mr. Goodrich stated that he sent it over to Ms. Carter. Ms. Carter stated that she has started working on it. Mr. McKinley asked her if she needed any help and Ms. Carter stated she did not.
C. Arboretum.
Mr. Mckinley asked if there had been any damage at the Arboretum this month. Mr. Ellis stated there was no damage. Ms. Carter asked if the damaged signs were in the process of being replaced. Mr. Ellis stated decisions should be made on replacing all the tree tags with something heavier and bigger so it will be harder to damage.
D. Emerald Ash Borer
Mr. McKinley welcomed Lisa Bowers from The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and thanked her for attending our meeting to discuss creating a Preparedness Plan for the Emerald Ash Borer. Ms. Bowers showed a power point presentation on the damage that the Emerald Ash Borer has caused throughout the State of Ohio and stated that it has not been spotted in the southeastern part of the State but it will eventually show up.
Mr. Drobina asked whether it would be better to go ahead and cut down the small trees now because it is a lot easier to remove a small tree or should we sit back and wait and see. Ms. Bowers stated one community just took down the big ash trees that were close to electric lines and are waiting on taking down the other trees. Ms. Bowers stated each city need to decide what would work best for them.
Ms. Bowers stated that she really encourages all cities to have an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. She stated that the best place to research and get ideas from other communities management plans would be on the ODNR Division of Forestry’s website.
Mr. McKinley asked if the Commission would like to go to the websites and gather information and discuss this subject further next month or would they rather have a work session late this month. Mr. Goodrich stated it would be best to wait until the next meeting. Ms. Carter stated we could all look at the websites and come up with ideas to talk about next month. Mr. McKinley stated next months meeting would be fine.
E. City Beautification Campaign
Mr. McKinley stated we would wait on that until next month because the Rules Committee is getting ready to meet.
Ms. Carter stated she passed out a memo to everyone about the American Chestnut tree. Brian McCarthy made a suggestion of what you should have planted nearby for when the American Chestnut is available. Ms. Carter stated we should plan where these trees can be planted.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
No other business.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Their being nothing further, Ms. Carter moved to adjourn, Mr. McKinley 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 7:13 P.M. on July 11, 2007.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Ed Drobina, Service Manager