Beautification & Tree Commission

Edwardsville Beautification and Tree Commission Minutes Meeting- September 26, 2017 Present: Benna Denue, Susan Bautsch, Dennis Pluta, Becky Standefer, Bob Pfeiffer, Barb Giardina, Wilma Jene Bond, Kim Schoenfeld, Larry Lipe, Alderman Farrar, Zyann Kinney. Absent: David Sirko, Tom Burns Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm. Introduciton and Welcome to Alderman Chris Farrar, City Council representative. Alderman Farrar asked what the EBTC does and Benna read the description and explained our EBTC projects that we are involved with at this time. Minutes from August 29, 2017 meeting approved with a motion by Wilma Jene and seconded by Zyann Kinney, with all in favor. Budget: Expenses were for salaries and benefits for park employees, bill for petunias from high school, city entrance signs materials, 50/50 planting project allocations. Old Business: Welcome Signs Progress: Foundations set for pillars, pillars constructed for 143 in two weeks, sign is teal with gold lettering. Mulch around welcome sign by Pizza Hut. Similar design at Mooney Hill. Urban Forester/City Ordinance: Arbor-Cultural Specifications Manual doesn’t appear to have been formally approved. We haven’t found any Urban Forester specifications. We need a qualified individual to look over our trees. Clock tower fence restoration: Repainting fence is on Bob’s list. Area is close to bar and gets rowdy at times. Main focus should be fence and clock tower. Minimum planting. Bench? 50/50 Tree Program: Barb thinks we need a neighborhood human interest story for 50/50 tree program. Plant a tree to celebrate marriage? 8-9 applications received so far. November 27- application deadline. Fall and Winter Plantings: Monday, October 2 at 5:30pm with refreshments to follow. Pots will last until Thanksgiving. Public works does excellent job with watering. Winter pots at the library. 30” concrete pots at metro station or court house. Wastewater Treatment Plant- potential tree planting: Wanda Road and Poag Road tree/shrub screen with intention to hide treatment plant. Zy and Kim measured fence line and explored ideas for specific trees. Bob said idea was ran by the police department. Police feel it is a potential for terrorist if it is hid. Police felt it should be left in view for security. Esic islands and Hwy 157: Zy looked at Florida Extension for plants that tolerate salt and little water. Bearded iris and hosta that tolerate heat and sun. Ribbon grass and yuccas. Little blue stem? Perhaps get SIU art sculpture? Removal of tree on City right-of-way: Becky called homeowner, Kathy. Matt will remove next week. Tom Burns suggested a maple tree with more shallow roots to replace the oak. Sidewalks have been cleared of brush on Schwarz street. Goshen Market date: October 7- Dennis and Kim scheduled, - Cancel date because of sun exposure and heat. Motion to buy canopy out of budget with City of Edwardsville Beautification and Tree Commission logo. Could use canopy/tent at Route 66 festival, Leclaire and Watershed festivals. City Website: Hired outside company to design site. Work in progress with visual presence of EBTC. EBTC Membership: Short one member. Dr. Farrar may know someone. Description to be on board. New Business: Pin Oaks on Schwarz Street: Remove 5-6 unhealthy oaks. Shape up the others and trim for power lines. Culvert project starting on Olive street. Finish before starting on dog park. Tree plantings on 3rd Avenue with homeowner care: Propose to help plant trees in front yards on private property to replace original trees removed for road project. Dr Farrar suggested we plant trees in front or back yard and not be specific about front yard only. Why is EBTC becoming involved? Bob said it should have been part of reconstruction with the project. EBTC information ‘Booth’: ? Tree Poster: Trees of Edwardsville poster. Benna had sample poster with windows. Trees and windows are similar in character. “This is authentic Edwardsville.” Professional photographer offered to take pictures. Trees of merit. Look out for special trees. Dr Farrar and Larry Lipe need to be added to list for email reminder of EBTC meetings. Questions: Dr Farrar talked about complaints concerning Bohm Woods and the development proposed adjacent to the woods on New Poag road. Should we set aside a buffer zone? Do we advocate for putting parcels aside for green space? Would we like to be involved? Benna said yes. SJ Morrisson ran for alderman on this platform. Bike paths are connected to green spaces. Meeting adjourned at 7:55pm. Next meeting changed to October 24, 2017 because of Halloween parade. Respectfully submitted: Kimberley Schoenfeld