Tree Advisory Commission Meeting

City of Urbana, Illinois Minutes of the Urbana Tree Commission Meeting Public Works Engineering Conference Room 706 S. Glover Ave. Urbana, IL 61802 Wednesday, September 2, 2015 1:30 p.m. Members Present: Barbara Anderson, Carol Augspurger, Stewart Berlocher, Jackson Bird, Jeff Dawson, Darrin Eastburn, Derek Liebert, Michael Stevenson Staff Present: Michael Brunk, City of Urbana Arborist, Kate Brickman Additional Present: Kara Dudek, Urbana Park District Planning Assistant Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:34 p.m. Commission member introduced themselves. Approval of Meeting Minutes The minutes from March 4, 2015 were presented for approval. The motion to approve was made by Augspurger, second by Eastburn, and carried by a voice vote. Public Input There was no public input. Former Business a. Arboricultural Specifications Review Brunk presented the updated Arboricultural Specifications and Standards Manual for the Commission to approve. Of note was the addition of language regarding the consideration for planting of native trees where appropriate. The motion to approve was made by Eastburn, second by Stevenson, and carried by a voice vote. The Manual will now be presented to the public. b. 312 S. Coler Avenue Hackberry Update Commission members viewed various youtube videos produced by Urbana Public Television concerning the story of the Sim Hackberry and the ongoing process of milling and drying the wood for undetermined end uses. c. Leal Park Legacy Tree Nominations The Commission reviewed 2 legacy tree nominations for trees located within Leal Park; one a White Oak and the other a Bur Oak (see attached). Both trees were nominated in the categories of size, age, and location. Discussion ensued regarding the location as being part of the historic Big Grove, and a proposed agreement with the Park District for Legacy Tree designation. Stevenson moved to recommend approval, Bird seconded, and the motion carried. d. 2316 Cottage Grove Avenue European Ash Legacy Tree Nomination The Commission reviewed a legacy tree nomination for a City European Ash tree located at 2316 S. Cottage Grove Avenue (see attached). The tree was nominated in the rare tree category. Discussion ensued regarding treatment for Emerald Ash Borer prevention currently and in the future. Anderson moved to recommend approval, Stevenson seconded, and the motion carried. New Business e. 705 S. Busey Avenue Tuliptree ‘Ardis’ variety Legacy Tree Nomination The Commission reviewed a legacy tree nomination for a City Tuliptree ‘Ardis’ variety tree located at 705 S. Busey Avenue (see attached). The tree was nominated in the rare tree category. Discussion ensued regarding the history of the tree. f. 711 W. Main Street Swamp White Oak Legacy Tree Nomination The Commission reviewed a legacy tree nomination for a City Swamp White Oak tree located at 711 W. Main Street (see attached). The tree was nominated in the rare tree category. Discussion Eastburn moved to recommend approval of both nominations, Stevenson seconded, and the motion carried. At this time, Dawson formally welcomed Jackson Bird to the Tree Commission. Dawson presented an item for future discussion: the University of Illinois remnant of the old forestry plantation from 1870. This being the oldest experimental forest plantation in North America there are some several magnificent trees in the Urbana part of the campus that could be nominated for the legacy tree program. Brunk indicated that he would join Dawson in looking at the tress. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m. Kate Brickman, Recording Secretary Urbana Tree Commission