TREE COMMISSION

CITY HALL, 100 LOCKVILLE ROAD

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011

REGULAR MEETING

6:30 P.M.

 

 

  1. ROLL CALL  Mr. McKinley called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M., with roll call as follows:  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. McKinley and Mr. Malone.  Service Director Mr. Drobina, Recreation Administrator Mrs. Medinger, Mrs. Carter, and Service Department Administrative Assistant Ms. Perrine were also present.   

 

2.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF May 25, 2011.  Mr. Malone moved to approve; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  Mr. Goodrich, Mr. Malone and Mr. McKinley voted “Yes”.  Motion passed 3-0.          

  

  1. COMMUNITY COMMENTS            No comments.

 

      4.   REPORT

           

             A.          Street Tree Report (Mr. Drobina)    Mr. Drobina stated that a small tree fell on a                             

   truck on Stone Mill in the Stonebridge Subdivision.  The tree has been removed

   and I will be talking to the property owner tonight or tomorrow. Mr. Goodrich

   stated he had a question about all the trees that was removed on Albion Street.

   Mr. Drobina commented that they were all ash trees that was removed plus the

   stumps.  We will be replanting trees this fall.   Also, the ash trees on Paisley

   Place and Carron Circle are being treated by two different companies.  There

   was a large price difference between them and I was wanting to find out which

   one works the best, stated Mr. Drobina.   Some discussions went on regarding

   trimming some trees located in the subdivisions this fall by the Service

   Department.                                                                               

 

             B.           Public Safety and Community Affairs Report (Mr. Drobina)      No Comments.

                           

 5.    SCHEDULED MATTERS

 

             A.           Tree Preservation Update.      No Comments.

 

             B.           2011 Arboretum Improvement Goals.  Mr. Drobina commented that they need

                           to take a look at tree tags.   Mr. McKinley asked if this should be something

                           they place in the 2012 budget for next year.  Mr. Drobina stated that he would

                           be working on next year’s budget next month and it would be nice to have an

                           idea on how much this will cost.  Also he was looking at increasing the budget

                           for more professional services with the Urban Forestry budget for the purpose

                           of trimming trees.  Some discussions went on regarding the benefits of having a

                           City Arborist again and the costs.                        

 

            C.            2011 Beautification projects entrances to the city. Mr. McKinley stated he  

                            would like to see us planting in the fall some bulbs for spring blooming.  

                            Discussions went on regarding adding new beautification projects to more

                            entrances to the city.        

                                                                                                                          

D.                         2011 Beautification Ideas/Goals.   Mrs. Medinger stated that they are working on Fall Banners for the downtown area. Also the Parks Department would be taking down the flower baskets sometime soon.  Mr. Drobina stated he would like to see something different in the plaza area downtown.  Not exactly sure what could be done.    Mr. McKinley asked if this was part of the VIP program. 

Mrs. Medinger stated that the group had cleaned up flower beds in the spring and thought they would be cleaning up flower beds in the fall.                                         

 

E.                          Discussion regarding the landscaping plan design for Diley Road.  Mr. Drobina stated that an architect looked at the Diley Road plans and made a recommendation for 3 phrases.  It would be broken down from location to location.   We will be bringing ideas to the committee.  No action on this has taken place but at least we have a budget number for next years budget commented Mr. Drobina. 

 

F.                          Merger of the Parks and Recreation Board and Tree & Beautification

Commission-Update.  Mr. Drobina stated that this was passed on three meetings by council.  At the next Rules and Administration Meeting they will appoint everyone to the committee.  Mr. Malone asked if this would be enough to get us up to quota.  Mr. Drobina replied yes, that gives us seven members voting and one council member non-voting unless a tie vote.  We will be meeting in September as one board.    Discussions went on regarding what time they should meet in September.  Mr. McKinley moved to have the next combined Parks and Recreation Board and Tree and Beautification Commission meeting on September the 28th at 7:00 p.m.  Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  Mr. Malone, Mr. McKinley and Mr. Goodrich voted “Yes”.  Motion passed 3-0.     Mr. Drobina stated that at the first meeting they will have to reorganize.       

                                                                                        

      6.   OTHER BUSINESS      Mr. McKinley asked staff, how many properties the city has

            registered in the Foreclosed Property/Abandoned Home Program.  Mr. Vance

            commented that he believed ten to fifteen.  Mr. McKinley asked if this was a volunteer

            program with penalties for not being registered.   Mr. Vance doesn’t recall any penalties

            for this but some kind of expectation with a reference to all parties involved. Mr.

            McKinley stated that he has some properties like this in his subdivision that he lives in

            and was just asking.                                                                          

 

 

  1. COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA RECOMMENDATIONS 

Mr. Goodrich asked how they will approve the minutes from this meeting next month.  Mr. Drobina replied he would check with Mrs. Yartin on the proper procedure. 

 

Mrs. Medinger stated that the Parks & Recreation Board last month would like suggestions from Tree & Beautification Commission on what trees would be best for the ball fields on Diley Road for shade.  After some discussions it was suggested that they purchase hybrid crosses of Silver & Red Maple trees called Freeman maples for fast growing shade trees and for that area about seven to ten trees. 

 

8.   ADJOURNMENT     There being nothing further, Mr. McKinley moved to adjourn, Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion.  Mr. McKinley, Mr. Malone and Mr. Goodrich voted “Yes”.  Motion passed 3-0.  The Tree Commission adjourned at 7:03 p.m. on August  24, 2011.

 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

________________________________

Angie Perrine, Administrative Assistant

 

 

ATTEST:  _______________________

Edward Drobina, Service Director