Beautification & Tree Commission

Edwardsville Beautification and Tree Commission Minutes - March 24, 2015 Present: Susan Bautsch, Wilma Jene Bond, Tom Burns, Barbara Giardina, Zyann Kinney, Larry Lipe, Bob Pfeiffer, Dennis Pluto, Vicki Rehlen, Mike Reinhardt, Samantha Sponeman, and Eric Williams. Absent: Jeanette Mallon Call to Order and Reports: Mike called the meeting to order at 6:40pm. The February 24, 2015 minutes were reviewed and approved with a motion by Larry that was seconded by Vicki. Eric reviewed the budget, noting that to date we have spent 50% of the budget, and have $19,000 left to spend. Mulching will start soon, so that expense will be coming in. The bottom line this year is the same amount that has been submitted for next year's 2015/16 budget. Mike asked if the sunflowers will be paid by April and Bob said yes, but he is still pricing. He needs to purchase sunflower seed. Expenses for 18 trees at Glik and Leclaire Parks, Arbor Day, and a few flowers still need to be paid for as well. Old Business: Green Thumb: This is the 16th season. Zy reviewed the nomination form and didn't notice anything that needed changing this year. She set the dates from May 1 - June 12. She said we have a head start this year in nominations because she had a few nominations from last year that came in after the deadline. She already has 3 residential and 1 neighborhood nomination. Cheryl Watson will make sure the forms are available in the City Clerk's Office, Public Works, and info is on the city website. Denise in Public Works will have information in the bills starting April 1. 50/50 Cost Share Tree Program: Not discussed at this meeting. Edwardsville City Entrance Signs: Eric sent the owner of the property on North Main drawings of building setbacks today. Eric will follow up with him tomorrow. He has also reached out to the property owner on 143, Schlemer property, since IDOT right of way is not able to be used. Barbara noted that the Mayor had originally said that it was urgent to get the welcome signs underway in this year's budget. She wanted to know if the welcome sign expenses were still in this year's budget. Eric said it might have to be submitted in next year's budget because we are running out of time this year, and the budget amount would stay the same to allow for the sign costs. Larry asked if the welcome sign would be lighted and Eric said yes. Costs of the signs were discussed. The lowest bid was $6840 for 1 sign, and that amount is waiting to pass City Council. So if we are looking to buy both signs, the cost would be $13,680, which is just for 2 sign panels. We already have the brick and finials purchased for both signs. Quote on labor from the bricklayer was $9,000. Ideally, Eric would like to get the signs ordered on this year's budget, then gradually find money for the labor. Landscaping and electric would still need to be paid as well. Barbara likes the idea of getting the signs ordered now. Eric is hoping to meet with the Mayor in the next day or two. Spring Flower Planting: Mike would like to get the City Flower, Black-Eyed Susan's, planted around the city. He would like to put some by the Route 66 kiosk, Glik Park sign, Leclaire Ball Diamond leading into the Children's Museum, and The Watershed. Mike would like to get up to $500 approved for spring flower planting. Zy made the motion and Vicki seconded. All were in favor. Susan noted that the Black Eyed Susan's are summer bloomers, so we might need to do some scouting to purchase them. Tree City USA: Mike and Susan went to the conference today. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Urban and Community Forestry, and Funding Opportunities were discussed. Susan said several people gave reports on the Emerald Ash Borer. She said we need to have an inventory of our city trees. Susan would like to put together an action plan to move forward on that. She said we need to have a preventative plan in place - it is the proactive thing to do. EAB is now in Marion, Springfield, and Effingham. There are a variety of chemicals to use to treat the EAB, with a cost of $250 per tree. There is no guarantee that the treated trees will live, but the earlier the problem is detected, the better percentage of survival. We need to diversify our city trees now. Our city received the Tree City Award. There was an article in The Intelligencer on March 24 and the Mayor made some nice comments. Mike sent him a thank you note. Spring Tree Planting: It is planned to plant 12 more trees on South Main/Plum Street. Six trees will be planted north of Harvard Drive and another six south of it. Eric needs to check the Right Of Way. On Esic/157 we also want to plant 12 trees there further up the hillside. Tom said there is bad soil there. He said to plant Cypress, Autumn Blaze, Sycamore, Red Maple, and Willow Oaks. Mike said we have the money in the budget, so can we proceed with these tree plantings? It will look good for Tree City. Mike said we need to allocate $6,000. He will give Tom a list and he will find good prices. Eric said they all look OK, but to stay away from the bike trail. A Motion to Approve was requested for $6,000 for 24 trees. Wilma Jene approved the motion, and Dennis seconded. All were in favor. Arbor Day: On Saturday, April 25, the Cub Scout Den 7 and 3 Girl Scout troops from last year (75, 346, 370) will plant 2 trees on the Southeast corner at Leclaire Park at 10AM. There will be a few activities planned as well, and The Friends of Leclaire will be there to help. There will be a park clean-up, painting of the pavilion, and refreshments served. They will stretch a clothes line out and hang the trash they clean up on the line just to show the effects of littering. The Mayor is invited. Sunflowers: Mike asked Bob how much he needs to vote for money for the sunflowers at Glik Park. Bob said it would be minimal, up to $200. Larry made the motion, and Dennis seconded. All were in favor. Goshen Market: We will set up a table on May 9, the first week the market is open. We will put out brochures from the Tree City conference, and information on Memorials in Parks, Parks activities, EAB info, activities, "how to plant a tree", etc. Zy and Larry will both help, and we will set up next to the Friends of Leclaire booth. We will set up again in Aug or Sept and the booth will feature 50/50 tree applications. New Business: New projects: Mike thanked Dennis for trimming roses at the Route 66 Kiosk. Downtown Flower Pot Planting: Dennis said the flower pot planting date is Monday May 4th at 4:30pm by the Buckles Building. The time is based on Tomosovic delivery schedule. He will order one more pot to replace the lost one. There will be 15 groupings of 3, plus 6 individual for a total of 51 pots. John Davin is growing more petunias. Susan and Dennis will meet to discuss more plants. Wilma Jene will join them. Larry will help plant the Coles Monument after May 4. Dennis will order soil next week to get in this year's budget. Seed Packets: Bob asked if Burpee sells seeds in bulk? Bob said we could buy bulk seeds , then repackage little envelops of Black Eyed Susan seeds and pass them out at Arbor Day, Watershed, and the Goshen Market. Everyone liked that idea! Term Expirations: Mike, Samantha, Vicki, and Susan's terms are expiring. Everyone is renewing their term except Vicki, who is moving to Oklahoma in August. We were all sad to hear her go, but wished her luck on her retirement! The meeting adjourned at 7:30pm. Next meeting: April 28, 2015 Minutes submitted by Samantha Sponeman