CITY OF PICKERINGTON

TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

REGULAR MEETING

6:30 P.M.

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Mr. Malone called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M., with roll call as follows: Mr. Goodrich, Mr. McKinley, and Mr. Malone were present.  Mr. Neill and Ms. Shelts were absent.  Mrs. Goodrich, Greg Bachman, Carol Carter, Eric Pawlowski, Edward Drobina and Angie Perrine were also present. 

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of October 26, 2009, Regular Meeting.  Mr. Malone moved to approve; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  Mr. Malone, Mr. McKinley, and Mr. Goodrich voted “Aye”.  Motion carried, 3-0.

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS.  Mr. Malone stated that he appreciated City Engineer, Greg Bachman for attending tonight’s meeting.  Mr. Bachman then introduced himself and commented on his previous background and positions held.  Mr. Bachman stated he would like to talk about sidewalk issues, when do the sidewalks need replaced and what criteria.  He stated this has been a problem with many other communities along with this city.  Discussions regarding the sidewalk issues and who is responsible were held and Mr. Bachman stated he was open to any suggestions that the Tree Commission would have. 

 

Mr. Bachman stated he was also working on a concept plan for State Route 256, from I-70 to Refugee Road to add a third southbound lane.  He believes the city could do this by re-stripping the road and lowering the speed limit.  He stated he plans on starting in January to meet with different committees with this plan.  Discussion went on regarding what would need to happen in the future with the trees along State Route 256 if this third lane would come to be and possibly moving the trees back and making a bike path/sidewalk like the new Diley Road project.  Mr. Bachman stated he is again open to any ideas that the Tree Commission would have.                     

 

  1. REPORTS.   
    1. Street Tree Report

Mr. Goodrich stated that the City Arborist, Gregg Ellis has done a lot of tree trimming in the Stonebridge Subdivision.  He also questioned about the Arborist having to pickup trees.  Mr. Drobina stated that Mr. Ellis does both if need be and it also depends on how many trees he is ordering.  Mr. McKinley asked Mr. Drobina if the City Arborist would be getting all of the tree trimming/replacements done before he retires on January 14th.  Mr. Drobina replied yes he would.       

 

 

       5.    SCHEDULED MATTERS.

                  a.   Tree Preservation Update. 

No Comments.

 

    1. Emerald Ash Borer.

No Comments. 

 

    1.   Arboretum.

Mr. McKinley questioned what was going to happen with this after Mr. Ellis retires, will the Service Department take over the arboretum or the Parks Department.  Mr. Drobina replied he doesn’t know how the committee will handle this.  Mr. Malone stated he would like to know if the city could possibly fund for a part time position as City Arborist or a city employee to handle this work.  Mr. Drobina stated that the Service Department has an employee who already works with Mr. Ellis and helps him out a lot with planting and trimming of the trees and he would be interested in the position as time goes on.  Mr. Malone replied that this was something good to encourage, and would like someone to take training and courses like Mr. Ellis did when he took over the position of City Arborist.  Mr. McKinley stated he felt that there is a need in the city for an arborist.  If and when this position is filled again he would like this person to be more community outreached.  By going to schools and educating kids about Arbor Day and more structured programs.        

                                                                    

                               

  1. COMMUNICATION.    No comments. 

 

 

7.   OTHER BUSINESS.  Mr. McKinley commented he was at a city council meeting and it was stated that the city would be turning over the maintenance of the street trees to the property owners in 2010.  He feels that the Tree Commission should have some input on this matter.  Several discussions went on regarding this issue.  Mr. Malone replied that he would like to go on record that the City Council should go through the appropriate path with the Tree Commission first before they make any decisions.  Mr. Drobina stated that next year the city has budgeted money for the purposes of tree trimming and would be getting with Mr. Ellis before he leaves to see what needs to be done.

 

      Mr. McKinley moved to cancel next months December meeting due to the holidays.  Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  Mr. Malone, Mr. McKinley and Mr. Goodrich voted “Aye”.  Motion carried, 3-0.    

 

      Mr. Drobina handed out a sheet from Mr. Ellis with the Street Tree Recommendations for the Diley Road project.  This is for the Tree Commission to review and asked questions at a later time.   

                                                                                                                                                                                         

      8.   ADJOURNMENT. 

            Their being nothing further, Mr. Malone moved to adjourn, Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.   Mr. McKinley, Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich, voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 3-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 7:00 P.M. on November 23, 2009.

           

 

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Angie Perrine, Administrative Assistant

 

 

________________________________

Edward Drobina, Service Manager