CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, APRIL
14, 2004
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Malone explained the purpose of the Tree
Commission.
4. REPORTS.
A. Street Tree Report
Mr. Malone asked how many stakes and tree name tags Mr. Ellis was going to need for the arboretum. Mr. Ellis stated that they were just keeping a stack of them and order more as they get low.
Mr. Ellis stated that they have planted trees in the old developments and have put new species and changed species and asked whether we should start switching over and trying to get more like the old developments because of the ash tree problem. Mr. Malone stated that the original master plan for all the streets was to avoid this syndrome of planting all Elm trees and Dutch Elm disease wipes them all out, or planting all Silver Maple and then they all crack and break. Anytime you have one species and something happens you’re out of luck. He stated we should continue to plant different species.
5. SCHEDULED MATTERS.
A. Tree Preservation Update
Mr. Malone stated that he had a meeting scheduled for today with people from Dominion Homes and then received a message saying they could not make it and rescheduled for Friday, April 16. He stated that meeting is to go out and look at the properties that comprise the Villages of Sycamore Creek and the yet to be developed area on the eastside of Diley across from Fox Glen and the area down to Busey where there still are some trees on the ridges and along the drainage ways. We want to work with them and see how much of that we’ll be able to preserve.
Mr. Malone stated he has the plans for the Diley Road extension. He stated that is an area we want to look at and also attend the hearing that is coming up next week to learn more about it.
Mr. Ellis stated that in the area of East Street & E. Columbus Street the construction crew has put fences up and are stacking things around and up against the trees in the area. Mr. Drobina stated that that is their storage area. Mr. Malone stated stacking things around or against the trees would suffocate the roots or rot the bark. Mr. Ellis asked for the construction company to be told to move the storage area away from the trees. Mr. Drobina stated that he would go down and talk to them tomorrow.
B. Arboretum.
Mr. Malone asked if anything was found out about the landscaping around the arboretum from talking with Keller Farms and Steve Carr. Mr. Drobina stated on the arboretum side is the raised flowerbeds with perennials in them, also there is supposed to be some shrubbery back behind the raised bed that they didn’t do it last year but will put them in this year. Mr. Drobina also said Keller Farms will send us an estimate on what it would cost to do the maintenance on the flower beds, because they are not being taken care of. Mr. Drobina stated that on the park side of the arboretum they would be planting Black Eyed Susans. Ms. Cleary asked about the steps and Mr. Drobina stated that the plans he saw did not include any steps. Ms. Hurley stated that it was discussed that the steps were wearing away and they needed shored up and made to look more like a formal entryway to the covered bridge. Ms. Hurley stated that it was also discussed having terracing coming off the bridge onto the arboretum side. Ms. Cleary stated that she thought the steps were discussed with Keller Farms. Mr. Malone stated he thought Frank Wiseman was going to talk to Keller Farms after talking with Steve Carr because they wanted Parks involved. Mr. Drobina stated that he would talk with Keller Farms to finalize what exactly needs to be done. Ms. Cleary stated we should talk with Steve Carr before they plant the bed of flowers. Mr. Drobina stated he thought the idea was to enter from the side instead of from the front and that’s why they decided to plant the Black Eyed Susans. Ms. Hurley stated that there is a big puddle on the side and people couldn’t have gone through that way. Mr. Malone stated he didn’t know that there was a defined area. Mr. Malone suggested getting together with Steve Carr and Gregg down at the bridge and come to an agreement together. Mr. Malone stated the need to address the area coming off the bridge down to the arboretum. He stated that the long descent is not the most user friendly area. Mr. Ellis stated they leveled it off a little last year.
Mr. Ellis stated he would put the Arbor Day tree basically in the same area as the others. Mr. Malone stated that the tree selected for Arbor Day is Tri-Colored Beach. Mr. Malone stated that the Mayor should read this at the council meeting before Arbor Day which would be on April 20. Ms. Cleary stated that Girl Scout Troop 2101 would be doing the flag ceremony. Ms. Cleary stated that would also recite a poem or sing a song. Mr. Malone stated a suggestion was made that this year’s tree dedication plaque should be dedicated to Margie Milnor. Ms. Cleary and Ms. Hurley both agreed. Mr. Malone stated that she has been very instrumental in this committee and in other landscaping ventures around the city. Ms. Cleary stated a plaque would need to be ordered with Margie’s name and planted by Troop No. 2101. Mr. Malone stated an article would need to be put in the local papers about the Arbor Day celebration and the Mayor and council members should be invited.
Mr. Malone asked if anything had come to the city for the Tree City ceremony. He stated that usually it comes to the city and we have to fill out the paperwork to reserve places for the people who want to attend. Mr. Drobina said nothing had been received. Mr. Malone stated that he would call and find out about more about it but does know that it is in Washington Court House on Friday, April 23rd and starts around 8:30 or 9:00 AM.
6. COMMUNICATION
A. Tree Brochure
Ms. Cleary stated that under “Planting & Care” the last paragraph says to not pile dirt or sod on the trunk and suggested mulch should also be added. Mr. Ellis agreed that mulch should be added to that sentence.
Ms. Hurley stated in the first paragraph of that same section, defining where the flare trunk base is, she would like it to be identified somehow with a diagram so people aren’t confused. Mr. Malone stated if the Tree Commission box is moved there would be room for a diagram. Ms. Hurley stated that the Tree City USA diagram is on there twice so the one under Gregg’s name could be removed and the box titled “Tree Commission” could be moved to under Gregg’s name.
Mr. Malone suggested under the “Trees Not Recommended” section to add the word “may” make the following poor choices. Mr. Malone stated that the following names should come off the list: Fir, Spruce, Pine, European Mountain Ash, Hemlock, Elm, shrubs, and fruit tree varieties.
Ms. Cleary asked if the tree list is on the website and Mr. Drobina stated he would find out.
Mr. Malone stated under the “Arboretum” section the word “from” should come out of the first sentence.
Mr. Malone stated under the “Recommended Trees” section “planting area” should be added to each section. One student stated word “no” should be added where it says at lease three feet wide with “no” overhead utility lines.
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 the public hearing is next Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Peace United Methodist Church.
Mr. Drobina stated that they bought an auger unit for the skid steer and Gregg and the Service Dept. crew has been using that to plant the trees themselves. Mr. Drobina stated they planted 39 trees today.
Mr. Drobina stated he would get the budget breakdown for the money dedicated to subdivisions.
Mr. Malone stated he would adjourn the meeting and then they could look at the Diley Road plans.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being nothing further, Ms. Hurley moved to adjourn; Ms. Cleary seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Ms. Cleary, and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:30 P.M. on April 14, 2004.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Ed Drobina, Acting Service Department Director