CITY OF PICKERINGTON

TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

6:30 P.M.

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Mr. McKinley called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Shelts, Mr. Malone and Mr. McKinley were present.  Mr. Neill was absent.  Carol Carter, Edward Drobina and Angie Perrine were also present. 

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of September 28, 2009, Regular Meeting.  Mr. McKinley moved to approve; Mr. Malone seconded the motion.  Mr. Malone, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Goodrich and Ms. Shelts  voted “Aye”.  Motion carried, 4-0.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  No comments. 

 

  1. REPORTS.   
    1. Street Tree Report

Mr. McKinley asked if the City Arborist, Gregg Ellis was finished with fall planting.  Mr. Drobina stated Mr. Ellis just received some of the trees last week and will continue to plant trees into the fall.  Mr. Malone had a question on the tree report if the 77 trees is the total planted.  Mr. Drobina replied this is the total trees ordered for fall planting.     

 

 

       5.    SCHEDULED MATTERS.

                  a.   Tree Preservation Update. 

Mr. Malone asked Mr. Drobina about the trees behind City Hall.  Mr. Drobina stated the contractor was asked by the City Manager to remove the remaining trees that were left from the new storm sewer project.  Mr. McKinley asked why, Mr. Drobina stated they didn’t think the trees looked good.  They were pine trees with no needles on them.  Mr. Drobina stated he talked to the City Arborist and he has some Oak trees that he would like to replace them with. Mr. Drobina stated they were looking at the location of where to plant the trees.  If the City Hall would ever need to expand in the future they would need to allow for this.  Mr. Malone asked if the Mayor was informed of this.  Mr. Drobina replied he would let the Mayor know.  The City Arborist and I had just talked about the oak trees today.    

 

    1. Emerald Ash Borer.

Mr. McKinley stated that Pickaway County was now on the list. 

 

    1.   Arboretum.

Mr. Drobina stated that a Brownie Troop wants to donate a tree this year.  He has been trying to get in contact with the troop leader.  They have been playing phone tag and he will work with her on that.  Ms. Shelts stated that the Arboretum looks good now that they have all of the deer guards up.  

                                                                    

    1.  City Beautification Campaign.

Mr. McKinley stated this was being included in the work session with the Parks & Recreation Board.  They have some ideas that want to discuss with us. 

 

                  e.     Discuss a joint work session with the Parks & Recreation Board. 

Ms. Shelts commented she had a few items she would like to discuss.  She would like to find out more about a non-profit fund for the City Beautification Campaign or improvements.  Carol Carter asked if anyone was aware of what Disney was starting in January.  If you volunteer a day of service you would get a free day admission to one of the Disney Parks.  Mr. McKinley stated he had heard about this program.   Ms. Carter stated that this deals with City Parks and Beautifications this is something to maybe check into.  Ms. Shelts remarked she would like to still find out more information about a non-profit organization.  Mr. McKinley stated this could not be associated with the City.   Some discussions were talked about regarding other area non-profit groups and how they are run.   Mr. Drobina replied the best person Ms. Shelts could contact from the city about this would be Chris Schornack or Linda Fersch.  Mr. McKinley questioned when they wanted to schedule the joint work session.  It was agreed that it would be easier to have the joint work session after next months meeting.  Mr. McKinley moved to have a joint work session with the Parks & Recreation Board on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.  Ms. Shelts seconded the motion.  Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Shelts and Mr. McKinley voted “Aye”.  Motion carried, 4-0.    Mr. Goodrich asked if they have any agenda items that need to be covered.  Ms. Shelts replied she had some items to discuss.  The non-profit fund, issues with signage vandalism, trash can receptacles- how many and how much they cost, connecting bike paths- if there is a need for it. Mr. McKinley stated  some of the issues he would like to discuss would be how the budget would be allotted.  Making sure the urban forestry budget stays with the urban forestry.  Also, deciding if the two would even want to merge.  More discussions went on regarding who was over the entrance to the Arboretum, whether the Parks Board or the Tree Commission.  Mr. McKinley commented he would make an agenda up and if anyone wanted to e-mail him some more items they could.  He would also make sure Lynda Yartin and Angie Perrine have copies of the agenda.  Reminder that we will still have the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on November 23, 2009.     

                              

  1. COMMUNICATION.    Ms Shelts said she would be willing to do talk tours during festivals. 

 

 

7.   OTHER BUSINESS.  Mr. Drobina stated that during budget meetings that Finance Committee decided not to fund the Urban Forestry position for the 2010 year.  Mr. Malone asked if this has always been a full time position or has this position been two part time jobs.  Mr. Drobina replied since he has been with the city Gregg Ellis’s position has always been full time Urban Forestry.  Ms. Shelts asked does this mean we have no Urban Forestry budget for next year.  Mr. Drobina replied that we do not have an Urban Forester position in the budget.  We still have a budget for Urban Forestry but will contract out tree trimmings, tree cuttings, tree plantings etc. Gregg Ellis is still thinking about retiring he has an appointment with PERS in November to find out for sure.  With building being way down and budget restraints I just wanted you all to be aware of this.  Mr. McKinley suggested them doing a backup plan for street tree maintenance.  Mr. Drobina stated we still can be a Tree City USA city without an Arborist.         

 

                                                                                                                                                                                         

      8.   ADJOURNMENT. 

            Their being nothing further, Mr. McKinley moved to adjourn, Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.   Ms. Shelts, Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Mr. McKinley voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 4-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 7:00 P.M. on October 26, 2009.

           

 

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Angie Perrine, Administrative Assistant

 

 

________________________________

Edward Drobina, Service Manager