Urban Forestry Commission

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION Minutes of November 29, 2023 IN PERSON SPECIAL MEETING Room 208 Municipal Building MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT ALSO PRESENT Jane Harris, Chairwoman Chris Holden, Public Works Director Bob Grimm Chris Donnelly- City Forester Dave Meyering Steve Cronkite Jon Morris 1. Roll Call Jane Harris, Chairwoman, called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm, in Room 210 of the Municipal Building at 245 DeKoven Drive. The roll was called and a quorum was determined. Review of Minutes The minutes of October 26, 2023 were reviewed and approved. 2. Old Business Tree Warden Report  The Tree Warden report was reviewed. There was bid work done on Long Hill Rd, Serra Drive and hourly work done on Mansfield Terrace, Lake Ridge Heights and Long Lane. Public Works Report  Director Holden shared a request for review of Scarborough Lane. He wants tree health evaluated and whether there needs to be any removals or trimming done. The schedule for 2024 commission dates were presented. Steve Cronkite made a motion to approve the schedule. Jon Morris seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Account Balance  Account balance of $13,415.00 for the Urban Forestry Commission. $59,713.07 is remaining in the general fund. Downtown Business District Tree Pit Bid  Deputy Director Weissberg will be following up with Chairwoman Harris about this agenda item. 3. New Business  DEEP Tree Inventory Grant- Chris Donnelly shared that there were 14 applications. The pool of available funding was $120,000. There were 6 applications that were funded.  Carl Lecce Nomination- Chairwoman Harris will be sending Director Holden what she has in regards the nomination of Carl Lecce to the commission. Chairwoman Harris did note that it seems the website for the commission is incorrect and out of date. Chris will be checking into this.  Wesleyan Hills Pool & Tennis Club Proposal- The plan is to drop off up to four loads of leaf mulch to this area once it is available. It is roughly 46 cubic yards of material that is needed.  Additional Tree requests- CFMC, Traverse Square, Pashley Drive are all on the list. The Union Green tree will not be done at this time.  Fall Tree Planting Sites- Chairwoman Harris has not heard from the State. 4. Other/Correspondence  Chris Donnelly stated that he will need some information for the application including budget for tree maintenance, tree planting, tree removal, management, etc. They will want to know how much was spent for Vets Park plantings. They also want proof attached of Arbor Day observance. There was discussion about integrating tree survey data into the GIS system.  Beech leaf disease was discussed. 5. Public Comment  None. 6. Adjournment Motion to adjourn at 5:51pm. Moved by Bob Grimm; seconded by Steve Cronkite, approved unanimously.