CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
13, 2003
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
4. REPORTS.
A. Street Tree Report
Mr. Wiseman stated that there was a major storm right in the downtown area and trees were down on W. Columbus and in subdivisions. Mr. Wiseman stated that residents were told if they put the limbs out to the right-of-way we would take care of them.
Mr. Malone asked if we needed to be talking about our Fall contract planting at this point, and Mr. Wiseman stated that we will be going out for bid by the end of this week, take it to Safety in September and by the time it goes through our normal process planting will be available the first part of November. Mr. Malone stated that Mr. Sabatino raised a question a couple of meetings back about the area at Shawnee Crossing where the sewer line went through, and Mr. Wiseman stated that if the sanitary sewer line was running through there they could not put in trees but he would check. Mr. Malone stated that we might be able to stagger them.
Ms. Cleary stated that she knows there are a few dead trees that haven’t been replaced by the contractor. Mr. Wiseman stated that Mr. Ellis had been in contact with the people about the dead trees and is trying to get after them to do that. Ms. Cleary stated that Mr. Ellis had done an inventory of the subdivisions and we were going through those to fill in the gaps. Ms. Cleary stated that Mr. Ellis wanted to do the first pruning of these new trees and then possibly contract them out. Mr. Sabatino clarified it was best to do pruning in the fall or winter.
Ms. Cleary expressed interest in planting trees in the right-of-way at Meadows Blvd by SR 256 and asked Mr. Wiseman if he found out who owned that property. Mr. Wiseman stated that the Homeowner’s Association would own it but since there is no Homeowners Association we should ask the homeowners whose yards back up onto that property if they would have any objections to having trees planted there. Ms. Cleary stated that she would stop and talk with those homeowners.
5. SCHEDULED MATTERS.
A. Street Tree Brochure.
Mr. Wiseman stated the Commission has decided to change the title to “Tree Brochure” and remove any reference to street from the title. Ms. Cleary stated she would like to see a title page and under the names of the Tree Commission members list the meeting scheduled and that the public is welcome to attend. She stated further that we need to determine specific procedures for residents to obtain street trees from the City and Mr. Sabatino suggested we also provide a listing of local nurseries or tree farms where residents can purchase trees for their yards. Ms. Cleary further stated she felt the brochure should provide information on the Arboretum, such as the location and the types of trees and flowers located there, as well as something about being a Tree City USA and receiving the National Tree City USA Award every year since 1992. Ms. Cleary suggested a Tree City emblem be located on the front page of the brochure.
Mr. Sabatino stated when the builders do their landscaping it seems they use a lot of silver maples, which are very inexpensive trees. Mr. Malone stated the city’s ordinance has a list of acceptable trees, and that can be looked at and amended if necessary.
B. Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Mr. Malone stated that they’ve had the 3rd and final reading on the revised version of our ordinance and that takes effect in 30 days and that this item could be taken off next months agenda.
C. Tree Preservation Update.
Mr. Malone stated he did get a chance to look around at Young’s property by the Exxon Station and that it looks pretty good. He continued that in most of the other areas there’s not a lot going on. Mr. Malone stated it looks like we tried to avoid most of the trees as best as we could in the old town redevelopment work.
D. Arboretum.
Ms. Cleary stated that the 3 beds are planted and the wildflowers are up, but she would like to get a little more color in there other than white and yellow. Ms. Cleary suggested setting a time for an official dedication ceremony and getting some press on the arboretum would be nice because a lot of people don’t even know it’s there. Mr. Wiseman stated he would check to see if there has been an official dedication ceremony.
Ms. Cleary stated the park side of the covered bridge has never been landscaped and does not look very nice. Mr. Wiseman stated he reviewed this issue with the Parks Director and it should be cleaned up shortly. Ms. Cleary stated the three flower beds the City had put in did not seem to contain as many plants as there were supposed to be and that Mr. Wiseman might want to check with Keller Farms about that. Mr. Malone concurred and stated it was his understanding the entrance was to have more of a formal entryway look. Mr. Malone stated since the vandalism problem seems to be under control, perhaps we should look into getting that area spruced up.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Malone ascertained the legislation that adds an additional member to the Commission has been adopted by Council and questioned when someone would be appointed. Mr. Wiseman stated Mrs. Yartin will be contacting the applicant from the last interviews and Rules Committee will recommend Council make the appointment. Mr. Wiseman further stated the Pickerington Garden Club is running out of space to plant trees they have donated for their members and have expressed interest in planting some of these trees in the arboretum. Mr. Wiseman stated he would get more information regarding how much space they would want to use, how often they plant trees, if they preferred specific types of trees, if they used plaques to identify the individual, etc. He stated when he had more information he would bring it back to the Commission.
Mr. Malone stated that he received a Central Ohio Conference application in the mail. Mr. Malone stated it was scheduled for Thursday, August 28th, 8:30 – 3:30, Westerville Parks & Recreation. Mr. Malone said they will be discussing tree inventory, tree initiatives, forestry information and then they have a bus tour going to Acorn Farms Nursery.
7. ADJOURNMENT. There being nothing further, Ms. Cleary moved to adjourn; Mr. Malone seconded the motion. Mr. Malone and Ms. Cleary voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 2-0. The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:45 P.M. on August 13, 2003.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Frank Wiseman, Service Department Director