CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY
12, 2005
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of November 10, 2004, Regular Meeting. Ms. Hurley moved to approve; Ms. Cleary seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Ms. Hurley, Ms. Cleary and Mr. Goodrich voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Mr. Malone stated he wanted to amend the Agenda to include voting for a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the year 2005.
4. REPORTS.
A. Street Tree Report
Mr. Malone asked about the current status of the trees and what the plan is for dealing with debris from the storm. Mr. Ellis stated the city is picking up all the brush from the storm. Mr. Ellis stated residents just need to take the brush out to the curb area and prefers long branches rather than cut up branches because it’s easier to put in the chipper. Mr. Malone asked if the damage is worse in some areas or is it pretty much the same all over the city. Mr. Drobina stated the older areas seem worse. Ms. Hurley asked if there was an article in the local papers letting people know that we are picking up the brush. Mr. Drobina stated he would check into getting an article in the local newspaper.
Mr. Ellis stated ID tags for the trees have been vandalized. Ms. Hurley asked if there was anything more vandal proof he could use. Mr. Ellis stated that there is but it would be really expensive.
5. SCHEDULED MATTERS.
A. Tree Preservation Update
Mr. Malone stated his concern about damage to trees in the area behind the Exxon station. Mr. Malone stated he talked with the contractor and with Lance Schultz to find out how the damage occurred. Mr. Malone stated that Mr. Schultz said that once the plans for an area are approved and the developer agrees to leave the area intact we don’t check back often enough. Mr. Malone stated that we should fine the developer for the damage that was caused. Mr. Malone
stated that setting the fines need to be assessed depending on the size of the tree and the species of the tree. Mr. Goodrich asked how long it would take before the damage to the trees shows up? Mr. Malone stated that we would see some initial results this spring. Other trees that have been damaged, but not severely enough to kill them, 2 to 3 years is usually the time frame that you will see something significant happen to them. Mr. Malone stated that Mr. Schultz said a list was made identifying all the trees in the area and the developer was told he was going to be fined for all those trees whether they survive or not. Mr. Malone stated that the contractor used existing soil instead of having someone bring in new soil. Mr. Malone continued that they aren’t talking little pits or fox holes; they had a large backhoe in an area buried almost up to the cab. Mr. Goodrich asked if the pits are causing an erosion problem for the creek. Mr. Malone stated he believed they backfilled those areas when they were done.
Mr. Malone stated the need to amend our tree protection ordinance to be more specific. Mr. Drobina stated he would check into what steps need to be taken to change and strengthen the tree protection ordinance.
Mr. Malone stated he would check the Villages of Sycamore Creek and Fox Glen area. Mr. Malone stated he will find out what is being proposed by the church on Refugee Road just east of Milnor.
B. Arboretum.
Mr. Drobina stated that he ordered and received the signboard and it will be put up in the spring. He continued that it also has the locking doors. Mr. Drobina stated when the weather is nicer they could all go down to the Arboretum and pick where they want to place the sign.
Mr. Drobina stated that Keller Farms has not started on the work. He stated that we have the money and purchase order number set aside for the work and it won’t be affected that we are in a new year.
6. COMMUNICATION
A. Tree Brochure
Mr. Drobina stated that we ordered and received 1,000 tree brochures. Mr. Drobina stated that some of the brochures would be left at City Hall, and some at the Service Dept. Mr. Malone stated the local nurseries should also be given brochures and maybe Sears Hardware in the spring when they open their garden center.
B. Web Site
Mr. Drobina stated that the tree brochure should already be on the website but he hasn’t checked.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Malone stated that he heard a rumor that Mrs. Milnor may sell her property and asked how they would go about persuading the city to purchase that property because of the beautiful wooded area. Mr. Drobina stated he would ask the City Manager about that.
Ms. Cleary stated she wasn’t renewing her commission because of personal issues that are keeping her very busy. Mr. Malone thanked Ms. Cleary for all her work on the Tree Commission.
Mr. Malone asked if the 5:30 meeting time was still a good time for everyone to meet. It was agreed to leave the meeting time at 5:30 pm.
Mr. Malone made a motion to nominate Ms. Hurley for Chairman. Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Cleary and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
Ms. Hurley made a motion to nominate Mr. Goodrich as Vice-Chairman. Mr. Malone seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Cleary and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Their being nothing further, Mr. Malone moved to adjourn, Ms. Hurley seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich, Ms. Cleary and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 4-0. The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:20 P.M. on January 12, 2005.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Ed Drobina, Assistant Service Director