Beautification & Tree Commission

Edwardsville Beautification & Tree Commission Minutes March 26, 2019 @ 6:35 pm Note taker: Jeanie Umbaugh Attendees: Benna Denue, Susan Bautsch, Dennis Pluta, Jeanie Umbaugh, Kim Schoenfeld, Clint Soldan, Becky Sievers, Bob Pfeiffer, and Wilma Jene Bond Absent: Jeffrey Papjcik, Larry Lipe Call to Order Discussion: Minutes from February 26, 2019 meeting reviewed and accepted; motion made by Kim Schoenfeld & seconded by Susan Bautsch. Budget Report: Becky reported budget as of February 28, 2019: $24,294.41 remains in current budget, but EBTC can only use approximately $10,000 for various expenditures, such as: 1) Tree inventory - Susan and Becky contacted the Davie Group regarding tree inventory of street trees in Edwardsville. Invoice for tree inventory (approximate cost of $5,000) must be paid in the current fiscal year with work done during the summer; 2) Garden Tour (Benna) and the U of I Extension Office seed packet collaboration – EBTC members approved the purchase of seeds at a cost of approximately $200 by Bob Pfeiffer; 3) Clock Tower project - Kim and Clint, along with Tom Sherrill visited the site and discussed ideas using native plants (< $500); 3) Arbor Day trees (two) – Benna (< $300); Benna motioned that EBTC use the majority of the remaining funds for this fiscal year to complement Vadalabene Park with plants, trees, and large planters – Wilma Jene seconded the motion (approximately $4,000). Agenda Items: 1) Benna – Edwardsville won both the Tree City and Growth Award and will receive a Tree City flag. 2) The Green Thumb Award – Kim announced that the Edwardsville Intelligencer will print a feature story about the award. She distributed Green Thumb applications to the library, City Hall, and Public Works office. 3) Arbor Day Celebration – No EHS student available to participate in the tree planting as the tree must be watered on a regular basis. The Girl Scouts will plant a tree at the Children’s Museum on April 27, 2019, at 10:00 a.m.  4) Tree Planting Cost Share Program – Becky to research whether or not Edwardsville business owners can participate if they do not reside in Edwardsville. 5) Woodlawn Cemetery Board – Susan met with Mary Westhall and Ned (Master Gardener) to discuss tree tours of the cemetery. U of I Extension will run the project and EBTC is not financially bound. This could tie in with the Bicentennial Year event of locating the oldest trees in Edwardsville. Susan suggested that the project could jump start the Heritage Tree Program. 6) The Madison County Garden Tour scheduled for June 14 & 15, 2019 is celebrating its 20th year. EBTC is providing seed packets of the Black-eyed Susan flower to be distributed during the tours. Any remaining seed packets will be distributed at the Goshen Market. 7) Susan will prepare the 2019 Heritage Tree Program nomination form. Residents will locate and nominate the oldest trees in Edwardsville. Once Susan has prepared the form, EBTC will review and approve. Becky will put the nomination form on the city website. 8) Kim and Clint are working on the Clock Tower plantings. Kim showed drawings of landscaping ideas including the use of native plants. Tom Sherrill, who specializes in native plants, will coordinate with Kim and Clint on the plant selection and landscaping. Tom must submit an invoice to the City before making any purchases. Benna and Bob both warned that the plant bed must be monitored frequently because of the heat and foot traffic. 9) Cole’s Monument on Hwy. 157 looks great – thanks Dennis! 10) Becky announced that Tom Burns retires on April 8. 11) Dennis announced that flowers for the pots have been ordered and will be planted on May 7. 12) EBTC at the Goshen Market on May 11. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.; next meeting scheduled for April 30, 2019.