Community Tree Council

1 Community Tree Council (CTC) Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: October 11th, 2021 Location: Webex online at: https://youtu.be/Qzb-nNeY18Q In Attendance - Members: Rodney Walters, Patrick Perry, Phil Hale, Pam Knox, Edith Jackson, Holly Campbell, Ernie Cox, Joe Perloff, Mary Songster, Shawn Doonan, Joe Perloff, Jessie McClellan, Mary Songster, Mary Attaway (A Quorum Was Present) Staff, Guests, and Ex-Officio Members: Lea Clarke (Georgia Forestry Commission), Absent: Victoria Goff, Jessica McClellan Call to Order, Introductions, and Welcome: Joe Perloff 4:00 - 4:05 ● Welcome everyone Housekeeping (Secretary) Rodney Walters 4:10 - 4:15 ● Roll Call Sign in (3 minutes): Attending members and guests were listed on the attendance list ● Action Item: Vote to approve August 2021 CTC meeting minutes: o A motion was made and seconded and approved by unanimous vote to approve the September, 2021 CTC meeting minute. Treasurer’s Report (Information – 5 minutes) Pam Knox 4:10 – 4:15 - During the last month, there was 1 small donation and Pay Pal donation (see the Treasurer’s Report) CTC Business (Executive and Steering Committees, Work Groups Joe Perloff 4:15 – 4:30 ● CTC Executive Committee {Joe (chair), Jessie McClellan (president elect), Pam, Rodney}  The CTC has decided to meet online for the time being, given the current ACC COVID protocols regarding in- person meetings: o “In-Person Meetings / Use of Technology: - Please limit the use of in-person meetings. If in-person meetings are required, please maintain 6-feet distance between each member of the meeting and refrain from having more than 10 attendees. - Instead of in-person meetings, please utilize technology, Webex/Jabber, VOIP phones, which are all supported by IT.” (going by ACC COVID protocols)  Discussion Item: If not done already, work groups & committees should consider how they wish to meet going forward, and let Rodney know their plan of action regarding meeting times/venues. - Continue and monitor COVID protocols ● CTC Steering Committee (Executive Committee plus Committee Chairs): 4:30 – 5:00 {Joe (chair), Jessie McClellan (president elect), Pam, Rodney, Mary Attaway, Mary Songster, Edith Jackson}  Educational Short and/or Forester’s Corner:  Landmark and Champion Tree Work Group: {Shawn (leader), Edith, Joe P., Lea, Phil, Jessie, Patrick, Mary Songster, Rodney} o No discussion  2  New Member Interview Work Group: {Shawn (Leader), Pam, Edith, Rodney, Mary Attaway}  Update from Pam: I don’t see the approval of new CTC board members on the agenda for October for the Commission, so I think the start of new members will likely be delayed unless I am reading it incorrectly. o the CTC needs to vote before the list of recommended member nominees may to sent the Mayor and Commissioner’s office. -the timeline could be November it could be April Discussion:  Edith will be transitioning off the CTC, and will resign her membership on December. o Therefore one new position will become available in January 2022 o Edith will be kept on the list serve so she may continue to attend meetings  Lea has been hired by the Georgia Forestry Commission and, based on her job requirements, is resigning her membership effective immediately. Lea’s participation with the CTC will change roles to that of an ex-officio member.  The Interview work group recommends to the CTC that Sarah Grizzle and Yvette Walcott be appointed to serve full 3 year terms each o The Interview Work group also recommends that Lauren Ward be appointed to serve the remaining term currently filled by Edith. Lauren Ward would serve a 1 year term, which will expire on 12/31/2022. A motion was made to accept Edith Jackson and Lea Clarks’ resignations and approve Sara Grizzle and Yvette Walcott to be nominated for appointment as CTC members with terms expiring on December 31st, 2024 and that Lauren Ward be to be nominated for appointment as a CTC member with her term expiring on December 31st, 2022  A letter will be sent to the Mayor and Commission Office with the CTC recommendations for membership  Follow up emails to applicants (Shawn).  Rodney will put the member nominees on the list serve so they may attend meetings.  CTC Trees for Tomorrow Work Group: {Phil (Leader), Mary Attaway, Joe P., Rodney, Pam, Shawn}  Only 4 trees remain (seedlings from Tree that Owns Itself)  Discussion about partnering with a community group to plant trees  Grants Work Group and Fundraising: 4:50 - 5:00 {Mary Attaway, Stacee, and Edith} • Opportunities coming up in the next 3 months o Mary has started a dialogue with ACC schools o Georgia Power grant is due in December (storm water quality) - Mitigation of runoff (explore to see if it is feasible) o Southern Company – Fall proposal due in February o Synovus update - Application sent last month (Will get feedback in November and awards go out in January - approximately $8600 and maintenance is included in the language o Habitat Proposal (Charles Smith)  Larry Morris memorial Planting Work Group: 5:05 - 5:10 {Shawn (Leader), Jessie, Joe P, Lea, Phil, Patrick}  Attendance at the Larry Morris memorial at Flinchums Phoenix will require an RSVP  Shawn met with the ACC staff members regarding the Adopt Athens Program and it has been determined that our proposal and approach to plant along the Kingswood Nature Trail has been accepted. o Next step: Finalize the application, develop a sketch and tree & plant selection o A question about stream buffer requirements was addressed (mini skid steer will be used)  3 o Will plant a seedling from The Tree That Owns Itself o Thought needs to be given to what other trees will be planted (white oak, cherrybark oak, swamp chestnut oak) - Will need deer protection fencing o Steve Bailey will sign off on the project (good to go) o Need to come up with a sketch or plan o Plant in December o Final Dedicaton ● CTC Committee Reports (Information and Discussion): Joe Perloff 5:05 - 5:25  Promotions Committee {Mary Attaway (Chair), Joe Perloff, Phil Hale, Jessie, Tori} No discussion  CTC Policy Committee: {Mary Songster (Chair), Lea Clark, Rodney Walters, Aaron Hall} No discussion  Education committee: { Edith Jackson (Chair), Stacee Farrell, Lea Clark, Shawn Doonan, Seth Hawkins}  Update on Tree ID 10/30 event o Discussion Item: Need for door prizes (members offered items they are bringing) o Setup at 8:30 o Advertized with 5 points list serve, Flagpole, Master Gardener list serve, - All Members: please post the following description to your listserv memberships and social media accounts: “Tree ID on the Greenway” sponsored by Athens-Clarke County Community Tree Council, in partnership with Winterville Tree Commission and Sandy Creek Nature Center: Sandy Creek Nature Center; Saturday, Oct. 30th, 10 AM- Noon. Spend a Fall morning with experts who will teach you about native tree species. Small, socially-distanced groups will be guided on either an ADA-accessible (friendly for mobility-impaired and strollers) route, or on a natural surface path. You’ll even have a chance to win a sapling offspring from “The Tree That Owns Itself” or other door prizes. Hike will happen, rain or shine! The program is free, but donations are appreciated at www.athenstreecouncil.com Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration at: https://accgovga.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29873#145437 (scroll to the very bottom of the page for the event marked “Tree ID on the Greenway”) or Leisure Services/Adult Activities/Nature Programs. For program related questions, contact Edith Jackson at 706-877-5818. Registration related questions, call Sandy Creek Nature Center at 706-613-3615. *Pre-registration is limited to the first 70 enrollees, and ends Oct. 22, 2021. Parking Lot Items: 5:25 - 5:29 Meeting Wrap up – (1 minute) Presiding Chair 5:29 - 5:30 * A motion was made, seconded, and approved by unanimous vote to adjourn the meeting  4 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ACC Treasurer’s Report: October 11, 2021 submitted by Pam Knox Money Market Account Beginning Balance as of 9/13/2021 $10,027.15 Interest 9/30/2021 0.17 Ending balance as of 10/11/2021 $10,027.32 Checking Account Starting balance 9/13/2021 $1,116.11 Deposit 9/30 50.00 Ending balance 10/11/2021 $1,166.11 PayPal Account AccTrees@athenstreecouncil.org Beginning balance 9/13/2021 $1,455.25 Deposit 10/10/2021 14.50 Ending balance 10/11/2021 $1,469.75