CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 11, 2004
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. No community comments.
4. REPORTS.
A. Street Tree Report
Mr. Ellis stated that the Bus Service requested trees to be pruned that were hindering school buses on their routes.
5. SCHEDULED MATTERS.
A. Tree Preservation Update
Mr. Sabatino asked if anything had been decided about planting trees in the open area in Shawnee Crossing that had been discussed at a previous meeting. Mr. Malone stated that Mr. Wiseman was going to investigate where the utilities were located so nothing was planted directly over them. Mr. Drobina stated that he would follow up with Mr. Wiseman.
Mr. Malone stated that Fox Glen has a fence row of trees between the subdivision on Diley and the water plant and in the back there are also preserved trees along there. Mr. Malone stated that there are several stands of trees from the area of Diley Road over to Sycamore and also in the Preston Trails area. He stated the plans he has are not clear and he wants to set up an appointment with the developer’s representative to have them explained.
Mr. Sabatino stated that Diley Road will be going from a two lane to a five lane road and asked if the Tree Commission was going to be involved in preserving trees along Diley Road. Mr. Malone stated that he hasn’t talked to anyone about it but hopes they will be a part of the process. Mr. Drobina said he would check and see where they are in the process of designing Diley Road. Ms. Cleary stated that it would be nice to have a tree line down Diley Road like S.R. 256. Mr. Malone asked Mr. Drobina if it would be possible to get a copy of the design plan for the first stretch of Diley Road. Mr. Drobina stated that he didn’t believe the design plan was completed yet but would bring a copy in when he receives it.
B. Arboretum.
Mr. Malone stated we should start planning now for the dedication of the Arboretum. Ms. Cleary stated that Keller Farms is supposed to be planting flowers on the park side of the Arboretum. Ms. Cleary stated that tiered steps going up to the covered bridge and terraces going down the back was also discussed and Mr. Wiseman thought it would be possible to have that completed before the dedication. Ms. Cleary stated that we would want the mulch to be put down and the flowers to be somewhat blooming before the dedication. Ms. Cleary said birdhouses were discussed and also stones were discussed for the park side. She continued that flowers and bushes were also supposed to be planted. Mr. Malone stated that signage for the Arboretum was also discussed and was to be coordinated with Mr. Carr. Ms. Cleary stated that she thought it had been decided to leave the name of the Arboretum as the Sycamore Creek Arboretum. Mr. Drobina stated he would check with Keller Farms and find out what their plans are. Mr. Sabatino stated that these improvements were to be included in this year’s budget and that Parks and Recreation would cover part of the cost. Ms. Cleary requested a copy of the budget be brought to the next Tree Commission meeting.
Mr. Ellis asked if the Commission had a preference on the tree he will get for Arbor Day. Ms. Cleary suggested a Tri-Colored Beech. Mr. Ellis said he hasn’t been able to find one but would look at other suppliers.
6. COMMUNICATION
A. Tree Brochure
Mr. Drobina suggested that the section in the brochure listing nurseries names and numbers should be taken out because it looks as if the city is endorsing certain nurseries. Mr. Sabatino suggested rearranging the look of the brochure. Ms. Cleary stated that there should be a section about how to get street trees and how to call the city and get an application. Ms. Cleary continued there should be a section disclosing the resident’s and the city’s responsibility as far as watering, mulching, pruning, etc. Ms. Cleary stated that Ord No. 903.03 was questioned at one time as to whether that was the right Ordinance number. Ms. Cleary asked what the procedure is to get street trees. Mr. Sabatino stated that there should be an application for the resident to fill out and it should be put on the website. Mr. Ellis stated there is a tree permit application at the front desk. Ms. Cleary stated we also need a request form for residents who may want a whole street of trees or a whole development of trees planted. Mr. Sabatino suggested coming up with an in field management approach. Mr. Sabatino stated that council has a Capital Improvement Plan and they schedule that out for a number of years. He stated that the Tree Commission could use the same basis for that in the parks master plan and everything else. He stated you could schedule overtime, commit so much money per year, and it will take you 6, 8 to 10 years to get there. Mr. Malone stated we do have line items in the budget for subdivisions that will receive trees but maybe we are not aggressive enough. Mr. Malone stated that we do have a city arborist and that calls should be directed to his office to be dealt with and when the situation would arise where a big area of trees are requested it could then be brought before the Tree Commission. Mr. Malone stated that what we will do for next time is total up what areas that we identified previously and still haven’t got trees since the last fall’s planting and if Mr. Ellis can take a look at that and come up with a total amount that could be planted during both planting seasons and we would do a line item on the total amount of money it would take to plant X number of trees.
Mr. Drobina stated that they planted 59 trees last fall using the stump grinder and felt that they did a good job and that it went really fast. Mr. Drobina continued that they wanted to try it again this spring and plant the trees themselves.
B. Web Site
Mr. Drobina stated that the tree brochure will be put on the web site when it is finalized.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Malone stated an Ordinance has been filed to remove the council representative from the Tree Commission and when that is finalized a new Tree Commission Member can be appointed.
Ms. Cleary made a motion to leave the Tree Commission meeting time at 5:30 PM; Mr. Malone seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Sabatino, Ms. Cleary, and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
Ms. Cleary made a motion to nominate Mr. Malone as Chairman of the Tree Commission; Ms. Hurley seconded the motion. Ms. Cleary also made a motion to nominate Ms. Hurley as Vice-Chairman; Mr. Malone seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Sabatino, Ms. Cleary and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
Mr. Malone passed out copies of information about the Emerald Ash Bore and discussed the potential damage that could occur to Ash trees.
Mr. Drobina stated that he talked with Paul Lane about the pros and cons for a wider tree lawn. Mr. Drobina stated the pros are planting bigger trees, less stress on the trees and less pruning for the arborist, and less problems with the sidewalks. He continued that the cons are the change of street right-of-way, the setbacks of the homes may have to change, it could change how many homes you could put on an acre. Mr. Drobina stated planting trees behind the sidewalk and getting an easement was also discussed. Ms. Cleary asked Mr. Drobina if he could get copies of the Ordinance related to this subject for the next Tree Commission meeting.
Ms. Cleary left the meeting stating she had another meeting to attend.
Mr. Drobina asked if anyone had heard about compliance on the Hawthorne trees. Mr. Malone stated that Mr. Wisniewski stated that trees in the Windmiller Subdivision had very large thorns that were a hazard and felt those trees should be removed from the subdivision and the Hawthorne tree taken off of the list of approved trees. Mr. Ellis stated that he felt the Hawthorne should not be taken off the list. Mr. Malone asked Mr. Drobina if he could have Frank Wiseman check into the matter and get more information on the subject.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further, Mr. Sabatino moved to adjourn; Ms. Hurley seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Sabatino, and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Tree Commission adjourned at 7:10 P.M. on February 11, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
___________________________________
Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
_____________________________________
Ed Drobina, Acting Service Department Director