City Council Meetings

MEMORANDUM TO: Record FROM: Susan Bishel, Public Relations Coordinator SUBJECT: February 23, 2015 City Council Planning Session Minutes DATE: February 24, 2015 CC: Mayor and City Council, City Manager, City Clerk, Department Heads The Planning Session took place in the Council Chambers, Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St., Wheaton, Illinois. Those attending the Planning Session included: Mayor Gresk, Councilwoman Corry, Councilman Prendiville, Councilman Rutledge, Councilman Saline, Councilman Scalzo and Councilman Suess. Also in attendance were City Manager Rose, Assistant City Manager Dzugan, Director of Planning & Economic Development Kozik, Director of Public Works Laoang, Forestry Superintendent Maloney, Public Works Management Analyst Wallace and Public Relations Coordinator Bishel. The session began at 7:15 p.m. following the conclusion of a public hearing and concluded at 7:22 p.m. The following items were discussed: I. Call to Order The Wheaton City Council Planning Session was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Mayor Gresk. II. Approval of February 9, 2015 Planning Session Minutes The Council approved the February 9, 2015 Planning Session Minutes. III. Urban Reforestation Policy City Manager Rose stated the City Council previously decided it wanted to fund reforestation efforts related to the emerald ash borer. The City has had a number of different approaches in the past dealing with parkway tree replacement, so City staff has created a reforestation policy that the City will use for replacing ash trees, for the continuation of the City’s Shared Cost Parkway Tree Replacement Program, and for permitted parkway tree planting by adjoining residents. Forestry Superintendent Maloney stated the Urban Reforestation Policy includes a six-year replacement program to begin replacing all parkway ash trees, where possible. The Public Works Department has planned for 500 trees to be planted in Fiscal Year 2014-15 and 500 trees in Fiscal Year 2015-16. The second year of the plan (Fiscal Year 2015-16) will include planting 100 trees in the areas hardest hit by the emerald ash borer. Then, the City would use an outside consultant to determine appropriate tree locations for years 3 through 6 of the plan, planting 1,000 trees per year. In response to Council questions about residents who had previously committed to a shared- cost parkway tree program to replace an ash tree adjacent to their property, Forestry Superintendent Maloney stated the residents who participated in the 2014-15 program have been refunded, and the City planted 200 trees in these locations last fall and will plant 300 in the spring. In response to Council questions about the quality of trees the City can secure, Forestry Superintendent Maloney stated the City is planting trees with a 2-inch diameter trunk. He stated while the tree-growing industry has been greatly affected by the economic downturn in 2009, the City shouldn’t have problems securing trees. In terms of maintaining the health of newly planted trees, Forestry Superintendent Maloney responded to a Council question by stating the City has been using Gator Bags, which help keep the new trees watered, and the assistance of residents adjacent to these parkway sites to ensure the health of the new trees. In response to a Council question, Forestry Superintendent Maloney stated the City will determine the species of trees planted through the Urban Reforestation Policy to provide a healthy and diverse tree population. IV. Public Comment There were no public comments. IV. City Council/Staff Comments Councilman Prendiville welcomed students from Wheaton North observing the City Council Planning Session. IV. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. 2/23/15 Planning Session 2