Tree Advisory Board

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Thursday, February 1, 2024 3:30 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Tree Advisory Board Commission Members Karen Fonte Rita Renwick Betsy Satcher Mary Schoenheider Ralph Schultz Jim Testin Ronald Van Dyke Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - Final February 1, 2024 Page 1 of 1 Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - Final February 1, 2024 ROLL CALL Present Karen Fonte, Rita Renwick, Betsy Satcher, Ralph Schultz and Ronald Van Dyke Absent Mary Schoenheider and Jim Testin ALSO PRESENT Floyd Catchpole - Illinois Native Plant Society, Janine Catchpole - Illinois Native Plant Society APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Ronald Van Dyke, seconded by Ralph Schultz, to approve December 7, 2023 Tree Advisory Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Fonte, Renwick, Satcher, Schultz and Van Dyke Absent: Schoenheider and Testin Tree Advisory Minutes - December 7, 2023 TMP-6953 Attachments: 120723 Tree Advisory Minutes.pdf CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS ARBORIST REPORT 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS, CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR Nominate Chair - Rita Renwick, Karen Fonte moved, seconded by Ron Van Dyke, all in favor. Nominate Vice-Chair - Ronald Van Dyke, Karen Fonte moved, seconded by Ralph Schultz, all in favor. 2. ARBOR DAY PLANS Karen Fonte discussed the arbor event day plans for 2024. Carl Sandburg is the proposed host school. A donated tree is planted on the grounds on 4/26/24. The kids backfill the tree. There is also a poster contest. 3. INFLATION REDUCTION ACT GRANT Rita Renwick discussed the IRAG grant with the Board. This would include a total tree inventory, updated plan, and includes the 40% of the disadvantaged portions of the city. A motion was made by Karen Fonte, seconded by Ralph Schultz, to submit a letter on behalf of the Tree Advisory Board to be a partner in this grant process. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Fonte, Renwick, Satcher, Schultz and Van Dyke Absent: Schoenheider and Testin 4. CN / AIB GRANT Rita Renwick discussed this $25,000 grant with the Board. This grant is in conjunction with American in Bloom. Page 1 of 2 Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - Final February 1, 2024 5. TREE CITY USA APPLICATION & GROWTH AWARD Rita Renwick discussed this application with the Board. The application has been completed. 6. ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Rita Renwick discussed the following recommendations with the Board: 1. The City Arborist be assigned a crew of at least four to supervise for the purpose of assisting with management of the city's trees. 2. The City Arborist be involved in RFPs for tree maintenance and removal contracts & contracts to fulfill requirements of our Urban Forest Management Plan. 3. The City requested proposals and award a tree growing contract for a minimum of 5 years with a 5 year extension prepared by the City Arborist as we complete the 10th year of our current contract. A motion was made by Ralph Schultz, seconded by Ronald Van Dyke, to recommend for approval the Advisory Recommendations. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Fonte, Renwick, Satcher, Schultz and Van Dyke Absent: Schoenheider and Testin NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION Chicago Region Trees Initiatives Update: Jim Testin attended a meeting and Rita Renwick updated the Board. There is a conference in November. NEXT MEETING APRIL 4, 2024 PUBLIC COMMENT Floyd Catchpole of the Illinois Native Plant Society discussed the Community Habitat Symposium to be held February 24, 2024 at Joliet Junior College - Building U at 8 am. Keynote speakers - Quinn Adamowski and Dom D'Allesandro. Register now https://illinoisplants.org/kankakee-torrent-chapter/communityhabitatsymposiumregistration/ ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ralph Schultz, seconded by Ronald Van Dyke, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Fonte, Renwick, Satcher, Schultz and Van Dyke Absent: Schoenheider and Testin Page 2 of 2