Beautification & Tree Commission

Edwardsville Beautification & Tree Commission Meeting February 26, 2019 @ 6:35 pm Note taker: Jeanie Umbaugh Attendees: Benna Denue, Susan Bautsch, Dennis Pluta, Jeanie Umbaugh, Kim Schoenfeld, Clint Soldan, Becky Standefer, Bob Pfeiffer, Wilma Jene Bond, Chris Farrar Absent: Jeffrey Papajcik, Larry Lipe Call to Order Discussion: Minutes from November 27, 2018 meeting reviewed and accepted; motion made by Dennis Pluta & seconded by Wilma Jene Bond. Reports: Becky reported budget as of February 28, 2019: $24,556.91 remains in current budget, but EBTC can only use $10,000 for various expenditures, such as: 1) tree inventory - Susan Bautsch (< $5,000 eliminate need for bids); 2) clock tower- Kim Schoenfeld – plants, dirt (< $500); 3) Arbor Day trees (two) – Benna Denue (< $300). EBTC members present authorized spending of the remaining funds (must be invoiced by the end of April). Authorization motioned by Susan and seconded by Clint. The next fiscal year’s budget will be the same as last year with additional funds added for inflation or a change in projects. Agenda Items: 1) Amanda Jo and Aurora Pilkington attended meeting to discuss Arbor Day project with Girl Scouts. EBTC plans to purchase a tree to be planted by the girl scouts at the Children’s Museum on April 22, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The second tree will be planted on April 21, 2019 at EHS. Nora Freese is the contact person at the high school. The trees selected for Arbor Day planting are Sugar Maple and Red Maple. Clint will assist Benna with the Arbor Day Project this year and will assume responsibility for the project next year. 2) City Website – Becky and Susan are working on the site pages - Did You Know, Green Thumb Award, Tree City USA, and Tree Beautification. The EBTC members are up-to- date. 3) The Green Thumb Award – Kim contacted Jennifer Spiller (utility billing) who will have the Green Thumb Award notice and the web address for the Green Thumb Award printed on the March 6 utility bills. Kim will distribute applications to the Edwardsville Library, City Clerk’s office, and Public Works. Kim, Wilma Jene, and Jeanie will contact local newspaper offices to print notice of the award. 4) Tree Plant Cost Share (50/50) may be revised as Mayor Patton wants to include commercial businesses in the program. EBTC discussed whether or not we want to allow commercial properties in the program. Becky will provide feedback on revising the application form. 5) EBTC moved to approve the Arboricultural Manual. 6) Heartland Conservancy partnership with EBTC as pursued by Public Works - funds allocated for projects in Madison County. Susan and Becky completed questionnaire for the funds. Partial areas of the county included. 7) Fall plantings – Dennis will take care of this project. 8) Homeowners Associations asked if the City would water planters in their neighborhoods. Parks Dept will not be able to do this. 9) Jr. Service Club Project – Mayor Patton thought we might be interested in partnering with the club for a downtown project. To date, EBTC has not been contacted. 10) Woodlawn Cemetery tree tour with U. of I. Extension. Benna will attend a meeting on April 16, 2019 to discuss a partnership with EBTC. Woodlawn CemeteryBoard wants to discuss a unique project. One idea is to use volunteers (Master Gardeners) to give the walking tours. How often would the tours be given and how would the public handle the limited parking at the cemetery? 11) Benna - Tree City USA application accepted and Growth Award submitted. 12) Susan - Bicentennial Year discussion of ideas for EBTC to promote the important event, such as having the public identify the oldest tree within the city limits. Maybe have SJ Morrison assist with photos. 13) Garden Tour (20th year) – Benna is on the committee. EBTC is partnering with the Extension office to provide seed packets of the city flower (Black-eyed Susan) to distribute to the public during the Garden Tour on June 14 & 15, 2019. EBTC would keep any extra packets to distribute at Market Day. Meeting adjourned 7:50pm. Next meeting March 26, 2019