CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE
11, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
No community comments.
Street Tree Report
Mr. Malone asked if the plantings listed on the tree report are the remaining 50% that they were talking about last time. Mr. Ellis stated that it was. Mr. Malone asked if there were any particular difficulties and Mr. Ellis stated they were all finished and looked pretty good.
Mr. Ellis stated that the dead trees in the Meadows have not been replaced from the planting last year. He continued that Southwest Lawn says they will be there and do not show up.
Ms. Cleary asked Mr. Ellis if he had checked into the area closest to Hill Road. It’s kind of a back yard area. Mr. Ellis stated he is not sure if that’s city property or not. Mr. Wiseman stated that he doesn’t have an answer for that yet. Ms. Cleary stated that Ms. Milnor suggested to her that Tri-Colored Beech and/or the Korean Dogwood would be nice in that area if it were city property. Ms. Cleary stated she didn’t know what the city had planned for that area. Mr. Wiseman stated that he would have to make sure that it is the city’s property, not just right-of-way. Ms. Cleary stated the only area the city would have to do anything would be on the corner versus down the whole line.
Mr. Sabatino asked if the city arborist is the one who would deal with trees growing over stop signs or is that a function of the street department. Mr. Wiseman stated that it would be Mr. Ellis. Mr. Malone stated that the arborist is pretty much the catch all for all type of questions whether it is maintaining trees planted along the city streets, answering questions from residents, and letting the developers know what they are supposed to do. Mr. Sabatino stated that the retention pond over at Shawnee Crossing looks like they took out a couple of trees to put an access road in. Mr. Sabatino stated that there is a big hole and questioned whether that would be replaced with trees. Mr. Malone stated that the area Mr. Sabatino is talking about used to be the old driveway that came up to the house that’s back there and there is still a culvert underneath it which is why you still have that line of trees that comes up, then stops, then continues on further until you come to the main entrance. Mr. Sabatino suggested that with the new legislation this is something that when they develop something like that we could control what is done in the area. Mr. Wiseman stated that Mr. Malone was very much involved with that whole project from the very beginning as far was what trees were going and which were staying and was able to keep most of the trees there. Mr. Sabatino asked what process we need to go through to have that hole filled. Mr. Malone stated that we would first have to go back through the landscaping plans of the overall project to see if there is something slated to go in there. Mr. Malone continued that he thinks they ran a sewer line through there for connecting into the main area so they may not be able to put something completely across the sewer. Mr. Wiseman stated they also planted bushes and it would take some time for them to mature and fill up some of that space. Mr. Sabatino stated he saw the bushes but that this is a big gaping hole. Mr. Malone stated that we used to have the developers, by ordinance, plant a certain number of trees for each lot and they usually waited until most of the work was done to plant them. He continued that we changed the system within the last couple of years where the developers put up money per each lot for the value of those trees, we collect the money and do the planting in the spring or fall to make sure the trees are going in as the houses are done in the subdivision. He continued that we control when they go in, how they go in, types of trees and workmanship, which has proven so far to be a much better system.
A. Street Tree Brochure.
Mr. Malone asked Ms. Cleary if she got a copy of the latest version of the tree brochure and if she had any comments? Ms. Cleary stated that she had received a copy and has a number of comments. She stated that it originally started as a street tree brochure but she thought that it had been decided to make it more of a tree brochure so that the title should be changed from Street Trees for Pickerington to Trees for Pickerington. She continued that it would be a good idea to put a small area in the brochure dedicated to street trees, for example, how to get street trees, the residents responsibility and maybe the city’s responsibility with street trees. Ms. Cleary continued that the rest of the brochure would be dedicated more to trees that are recommended for people to plant in their yards. She suggested adding a Tree City USA section and making a statement that Pickerington has received the National Tree City USA award since 1992. Ms. Cleary stated that under the Tree Commission purpose, perhaps adding that the Tree Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at City Hall with the address and all meetings are open to the public. Ms. Cleary continued that she would also like to see a small section on the Pickerington Arboretum, that it is located in Sycamore Park, that it contains a wide variety of native trees, and that it is a nice place to sit and enjoy or walk around.
Mr. Wiseman stated that if we took the recommended street trees and put them on a separate page, most of that information would be able to fit. Ms. Cleary asked if those are recommended street trees or just trees? Mr. Wiseman stated that they are street trees and they are recommended for the right-of-way and the curb. Ms. Cleary asked why that information would be given to the public and are they picking out their street trees? Mr. Malone stated that theoretically they were not picking out there own street trees. He continued that they are going through our approval process here in the city and in reality people are still planting trees out there on their own. Mr. Malone continued that it is in the code to protect against people planting things that should not be there and that are hazardous and cause a liability.
Mr. Wiseman stated that we should change the whole concept of the brochure. Mr. Wiseman continued that he thinks Ms. Cleary is right that we don’t need the recommended street trees in this brochure. Ms. Cleary stated that they were hoping to use the brochure to make it available here and get it out to surrounding nurseries. Mr. Malone stated that we could list some trees we don’t want planted in the right-of way, which is a much smaller list, then have a short statement about the appropriate size tree for the appropriate planting area and referring to the city arborist about what is and isn’t going to work. Mr. Malone continued that the information would allow people to realize that you can’t just plant any tree in any area and expect it to grow and do well. Mr. Wiseman suggested that in the brochure they could state that there are recommended trees for street lawns and you need to get permission from the City of Pickerington before you plant anything. Ms. Cleary stated if they have a section called “Street Trees”, under that section could be the permit to plant as well as how the neighborhood could go about getting trees planted, along with what is their responsibility and what is the city’s responsibility. Ms. Cleary suggested a section with the small, medium and large recommended trees for a yard.
Mr. Sabatino asked if the Tree Commission has space on the city’s website and suggested that it would be very convenient. Mr. Malone stated that while the website is an excellent tool there are still occasions like at the Violet Festival and local nurseries and plant stores where we might want to have something like this available.
Ms. Cleary stated that the front of the brochure was kind of plain and suggested putting how Pickerington prides itself on its heritage.
Mr. Sabatino asked whether there was any mechanism in place for people to pay the city X amount to put in street trees. Mr. Malone stated that we had initially gotten some funds and had done that by trying to do a cost share where they pay for the tree and we provide the labor. Mr. Malone stated that more recently it seemed most effective to try to go back and look at some of the older subdivisions and see where we have some missing sections that just don’t have street trees and try to catch up that way. Mr. Sabatino asked whether the city had a set fee for trees for residents to buy a tree and have the city install it. Mr. Wiseman stated there is nothing in place right now to accomplish that, but it might be something we could do if there is an interest. Mr. Wiseman stated that right now they just go on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Wiseman stated that the residents do need a permit but that is the only requirement.
B. Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Mr. Malone stated that thanks to the help of Mr. Sabatino and others we were able to get the revisions that were talked about at the previous meeting in place clarifying some of the decisions about trees being planted, trees being moved and being compensated for, clarifying that was the city’s responsibility to make those determinations. Mr. Malone stated that we were amending our new ordinance to clarify that the person of record, who we referred to as P&Z in our original ordinance, is going to be the City Manager or designee.
Mr. Malone stated that expanding the size of the Tree Commission from 3 to 5 members was also discussed at the Safety Committee. Mr. Malone continued that during that discussion it was pointed out that we are the only committee that does not have a formal council representative assigned and the Safety Committee felt that was to our disadvantage and to the city’s disadvantage so a council person was assigned, bringing the total number of the committee to 4. Mr. Malone continued that if this does get past council for a fifth person we would seek a volunteer to fill that position. Mr. Malone stated that he didn’t know if Mr. Sabatino gracefully raised his hand or if he wasn’t looking when they made the assignment. Mr. Sabatino indicated he volunteered. Mr. Malone stated he was pleased to have him here and pleased to have a council member on board with us.
C. Tree Preservation Update.
Mr. Malone stated that there is relatively little happening with the tree preservation update. Mr. Malone stated that he did go out and take a last look at the Shawnee Crossing area and things were being preserved and protected in almost all the areas that were designated, so it looks good.
D. Arboretum.
Mr. Malone stated that there are a couple of uncompleted projects out there, including flower planting and signage. Mr. Ellis stated that he would be getting more tags up. Mr. Malone asked if the plaque had come in and Mr. Ellis stated that it had. Ms. Cleary stated that she walked around the arboretum before the meeting and was disappointed not to see the beds planted that were supposed to be completed this spring. Mr. Wiseman stated that there had been some confusion on the purchase order but it has been cleared up and Keller Farms will be getting in there to do it. Mr. Wiseman stated he did not get a final date from them as to when it will happen, but it is any day now. Mr. Wiseman continued that on their behalf, the last two or three weeks we have been pulling them off to do other jobs outside the city to get prepared for the Parade of Homes. Ms. Cleary stated that as she walked around the loop she thought it would be an ideal place for some wildflowers and birdhouses. Ms. Cleary continued that some of the signs have weeds up around them and needs to be taken care of. Ms. Cleary stated that the last meeting they had discussed getting a sign for the Arboretum and would like to see us moving in that direction. Mr. Sabatino asked if the Arboretum is developed now or are they just small trees? Mr. Malone stated that some are newly planted, some were present already and some planted 10-15 years ago.
Mr. Sabatino stated that it was nice to meet everyone and that he looks forward to working with everyone. Mr. Malone thanked him for his presence and his help.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Frank Wiseman, Service Department Director