CITY OF
PICKERINGTON
TREE COMMISSION
CITY HALL, 100
LOCKVILLE ROAD
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 9, 2005
REGULAR MEETING
5:30 P.M.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of January 12, 2005, Regular Meeting. Mr. Malone moved to approve; Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Ms. Hurley, and Mr. Goodrich voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0.
3. COMMUNITY COMMENTS. Ms. Hurley explained the purpose of the Tree Commission to the high school students.
4. REPORTS.
A. Street Tree Report
Mr. Malone asked where the city stands on the brush clean up from the December ice storm. Mr. Ellis stated it was pretty much cleaned up. Mr. Drobina stated that they will finish this week and will only respond to people who call in with an address. Mr. Malone thanked Mr. Ellis for all the work that was put into picking up the brush around the city.
5. SCHEDULED MATTERS.
A. Tree Preservation Update
Mr. Malone stated there was nothing new on the project by the Exxon Station. Mr. Malone stated that he wanted to ask developers about one spot in the area of Villages of Sycamore Creek. Ms. Hurley asked if anyone had been spoken to about assessing fines and trying to get the Rules Committee involved in tightening that up a bit. Mr. Drobina stated that he spoke with Mr. Wiseman about making the fines more strict and he said the Tree Commission needs to come up with a recommendation, give it to him and Mr. Wiseman will take it to the Service Committee. Mr. Malone asked if it was possible to get copies of the current statutes. Mr. Drobina stated he would get copies of the current resolution. Mr. Drobina stated that the ordinance number is 1266.04. Mr. Goodrich stated that the trees in the area of Exxon that were affected were either very hard to grow or were an older type of tree that we don’t have any more specimens of so there value is very high. Mr. Ellis stated that the types of trees in that area were Walnut, Ash, Black Locust, Bitternut Hickory, and Cherry.
B. Arboretum.
Mr. Malone explained to the high school students what an Arboretum is. Ms. Hurley stated that in her past notes she noted that it was talked about putting a sign out at the beginning of Sycamore Park and asked what happened with that idea. Mr. Malone stated the sign was to state there is an Arboretum so people know about it as they come into the park. Mr. Drobina stated that he would talk with Steve Carr and report back next month.
Ms. Hurley asked if there was any more vandalism. Mr. Ellis stated he hadn’t been down there. Ms. Hurley asked about a sign with the penalties for vandalism. Mr. Drobina stated that that was going to go in the Message Board. Mr. Drobina stated that Mr. Ellis and himself would pick an area off to the right to put the Message Board up as soon as the weather improves.
C. Arbor Day
Mr. Malone explained Arbor Day to the high school students. Mr. Malone stated decisions needed to be made regarding who the plaque should be dedicated to, the scout troop that would do the ceremony, and putting a notice in the newspaper. Ms. Hurley asked if anyone had a tree in mind to be planted? Ms. Hurley stated that which tree would be planted could be decided next month and it was something to think about.
6. COMMUNICATION
A. Tree Brochure
Mr. Malone told the high school students about the tree brochure. Mr. Malone asked if the brochures had been passed out yet. Mr. Drobina stated that they have not and he would call the different nurseries and make sure they don’t mind if we leave them at their businesses.
B. Web Site
Ms. Hurley asked if the Tree Brochure was on the website? Mr. Goodrich and Mr. Drobina both stated that it is on the website.
7. OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Malone asked Mr. Drobina about the follow-up on the Milnor property. Mr. Drobina stated that it was brought up at the Service Committee meeting and they were made aware of the possibility of the land possibly coming up for sale and that the Tree Commission was interested in the city acquiring the property and turning it into park land.
Mr. Malone stated that he had seen in the newspaper a discussion about a couple pieces of property that developers were going to be giving the city. He continued one was over by Diley Road Middle School, the retention pond and the other was south of Stonebridge, west of Hill Road and stated he would be interested in knowing what exactly was planned for that. Mr. Drobina stated he would look into the matter.
Ms. Hurley stated that an add would be placed in the paper about an opening on the Tree Commission Committee. She explained to the students the requirements that had to be met to apply for the position.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Their being nothing further, Mr. Malone moved to adjourn, Mr. Goodrich seconded the motion. Mr. Malone, Mr. Goodrich, and Ms. Hurley voted “Aye.” Motion carried, 3-0. The Tree Commission adjourned at 6:06 P.M. on February 9, 2005.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
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Diana Fuller, Administrative Assistant
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Ed Drobina, Assistant Service Director