CITY OF PICKERINGTON

TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2010

REGULAR MEETING

6:30 P.M.

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL.  Ms. Shelts called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M., with roll call as follows:  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone, Mr. McKinley and Ms. Shelts were present.  Mr. Neill was absent.  Mrs. Goodrich, Mrs. Carter, Mr. Barletta, Mr. Bachman, Mr. Drobina and Ms. Angie Perrine were also present.  

 

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of February 24, 2010 Regular Meeting.  Ms. Shelts  moved to approve; Mr. Malone seconded the motion.  Mr. McKinley, Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone and Ms. Shelts voted “Aye”.  Motion carried, 4-0.

 

 

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. 

 

 

  1. REPORTS.   
    1. Street Tree Report

 

Mr. Drobina, Service Manager for the city stated the Keller Farms would be trimming the trees in the Melrose Subdivision.  This was an older subdivision with many mature trees.

 

Mr. Drobina commented that the City Mayor has issued a Proclamation for the Tree City USA 17th year celebration to be held on Arbor Day, April 30, 2010.  He also stated the city trees have been ordered for spring planting, the contractor to start planting the first week of May.  Ms. Shelts asked if the database would be updated when the trees are planted.  Mr. Drobina replied, when the work is completed the information will be updated in the database.

 

  

       5.    SCHEDULED MATTERS.

                  a.   Tree Preservation Update.      No comments.

 

 

 

    1. Emerald Ash Borer.

Mr. Drobina stated that the Service Department had a call this week in the Melrose subdivision that a resident thought one of the city trees in front of her house was infected with the emerald ash borer.  He also stated that a city employee had already went out and looked at the tree and the tree does not have any signs of the Emerald Ash Borer. 

 

    1.   Arboretum.

Mr. Drobina commented that the Arboretum looked very nice.  The Service Department had been busy with placing mulch around all the trees.  Also, they mowed further back from the trees this year, so that people could walk around the trees and be able to see the markers better.  The commission all agreed that this sounded great.

 

Mr. Drobina stated that the Boy Scout Troop 256 had contacted him about planting a tree in the Arboretum as part of a community service project that would help the troop on earning a new patch.  On April 22, 2010 the troop replanted a new Beech tree to replace a Beech tree that had died in the Arboretum.  The Tree Commission wanted to thank the scout troop for helping out at Arboretum the service project is much appreciated.

 

                  d.    Arbor Day.

Ms. Shelts asked if we had any flyers out for Arbor Day this year.  Mr. Drobina replied that the city had flyers posted at various locations in the city building for the public to view.  Ms. Shelts asked what time the commission members should be down at the Arboretum for the Arbor Day celebration on Friday.  Mr. McKinley stated that he thought by 6:45 p.m.  should be early enough.  Ms. Shelts commented if anyone had any questions in regards to what tasks each of them would be doing.  The commission members continued to discuss what each member would be doing.  Mr. Goodrich stated that he would not be able to attend the Arbor Day celebration due to a friend passing and would be attending that instead.

 

                       

  1. COMMUNICATION.

            a.      Discussion of an additional third lane on State Route 256 and the effect on the

                     City trees in that area.                                              

Mr. Bachman the City Engineer was present and stated he wanted to talk to the Tree Commission and asked for their opinions regarding the trees that line the State Route 256 entrances coming into the city.  Mr. Bachman commented that by using both concrete gutters on each side of 256 the city could gain an additional third lane.  The city trees are located close to Route 256 in that area in particularly at Turnberry Lane, and he wanted to know what the Tree Commission’s thoughts are on this.  Mr. McKinley asked Mr. Bachman if he had any suggestions first that he would like to share.  Mr. Bachman and the commission members went into some discussions.  Mr. Bachman stated he would like to get with a professional design team in the future to create a softer imagine that would let visitors know that they where entering the into a city and would possibly slow traffic down by creating this feeling.  All of State Route 256 project would be under the assumption that the city would be applying for and receiving a grant in order to have the funding for this kind of project.  The Tree Commission thanked the City Engineer for coming and communicating this project to them and would like to think about this and continue more discussions with him on this in the future.  Mr. Bachman stated he would like to attend next months meeting to discuss future bike paths with them.  The Tree Commission will be looking forward to his presentation.      

 

 

7.   OTHER BUSINESS.           No comments.

                   

      8.   ADJOURNMENT. 

            Their being nothing further, Ms. Shelts moved to adjourn, Mr. Malone seconded the motion.   Mr. Goodrich, Mr. McKinley, Ms. Shelts and Mr. Malone voted “Aye.”  Motion carried, 4-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:55 P.M. on April 28, 2010

           

 

 

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Angie Perrine, Administrative Assistant

 

 

________________________________

Edward Drobina, Service Manager