City of Galesburg Tree Commission met March 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Meeting was called to order by Ann Pennington at 4:00 P.M.
Roll Call: Present: Members: Ann Pennington, Pat Trant, Daniel Thompson, Bill Sime, Jane Easterly, Daniel Leahy, Superintendent of Parks-Don Miles and Director of Parks & Recreation-Tony Oligney-Estill
Absent:
Minutes of February 14, 2022 where approved.
Forestry Report:
• Director Oligney-Estill presented the February 2022 Forestry Report. The report was approved.
Old Business:
• Commissioners did not have any changes to the Arboricultural Specifications Manual. There will be a chance once the Tree Commission Ordinance is passed which will change wording referring to the City Arborist to the Forestry Division.
• Commissioner Thompson did not have time to research whether smaller caliper trees have a better chance of survival than 2” to 3” caliper trees. This topic led to a discussion on when to plant new trees, what is needed to care for new trees and how to water new trees with the limited resources of the Forestry Division.
• Commissioner Sime contacted Steele School about planting a tree at the school for Arbor Day. Commissioner Sime will contact Steele School again to work through specifics including having the planting on April 29th at 10am.
New Business:
• The Commission discussed what it would take for the City to plant more trees. Director Oligney-Estill said funding could probably be found to purchase more trees and have them planted. The issue for the City staff is that there is not enough staff to maintain newly planted trees to give the trees the best chance of survival. Commissioner Thompson found a portable pull behind 25-gallon water tank that he would be willing to pull behind his car, if the City purchased the tank and volunteer to water newly planted City trees. Through the discussion, it was determined that 25 gallons of water would only water one new tree, maybe two which would mean many trips. Director Oligney-
Parks and Recreation Department
Estill said he would do some research to see about purchasing a much larger pull behind portable water tank. Commissioner Trant brought up the fact that there are more issues to be resolved before the City probably allow volunteers to use City equipment, liability regarding the volunteers, potential issues with volunteers driving their personal vehicles around town to water City trees, etc.
Citizen Comments:
• None.
Meeting adjourned at 5:27 P.M.
https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Tree/2022/Tree%20Commission%20Minutes%20031422.pdf
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