Tree Commission

TREE COMMISSION MINUTES 2-8-2024 Circleville Tree Commission convened a meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2024, in Council Chambers, 127 South Court St, at 6:00 pm. Roll call. Present Chair: Roman Cline; VC Beth Kowalski; Alan Gribler and Sheri Theis, Council Liaison. Clerk Linda Chancey. Absent: Lori Prichard, Lisa Wiseman, Mark Fouch and Laura Schweitzer. Guests – Paul Hang. There was no quorum of members. The November 11, 2023, minutes were not voted on. Budget / Grant status Theis explained the expenses in 2023 budget and stated there was $10,000 in 2024 budget. A meeting/discussion with the forest service regarding the grant, two hundred trees for three years with maintenance until the grant is spent. Process of hiring a Certified Arborist ($40,000 a year). A map of future tree planting was shown. Suggestions for additional trees were Round Town Trail, along the Hargus Creek, Pocket Park- Garden City and several areas in Ted Lewis Park where pool was located. Hang suggested a grove of trees in the City would be nice. Open items from 2023 - examples: trimming, staking, other Tree pruning on South Court Street, Gribler will work Service Dept for training employees, pruning needs to be a three-year cycle for pruning. Alistaire Reynolds asked for a punch out list that was met in 2023. Tree staking, several newly planted trees are leaning, and need staked or realigned. 2023 Year Action work plan was discussed such as planting, grants application, tree tags contest, pruning workshop, tree ordinance drafted forty-eight trees planted with volunteers and Tree City application was submitted in December. Spring planting. Gribler will contact Rhoades for spring inventory for trees and evergreen orders. Need to organize student volunteers from local schools for spring and fall plantings. Spring 2024 planting is scheduled in April. 811 N Court St. permit email The Forest Cemetery Association, North Court St. is asking to remove a big silver maple by the cemetery entrance, they are installing waterline service, Cline will sign the permit and return it to Service Director. This inform was to inform the Tree Commission regarding the tree removal. Tree City application status This was submitted with a work plan and attachments/documents. Alastair Reynolds, State Urban Forestry Coordinator, stated the application needs to be renewed every year for opportunities. Friday, April 26th Arbor Day New/Old Discussion items – none was discussed. The Next Tree Commission meeting is Thursday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. Kowalski motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m., seconded by Gribler. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted by Linda Chancey, Clerk