Galesburg Reporter

City of Galesburg Tree Commission met Nov. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Ann Pennington

Attendance: Members Present:

Ann Pennington, Dan Thompson, Bill Sime, Pat Trant

City of Galesburg:

Elizabeth Varner, Director Parks and Recreation

Don Miles, Superintendent of Parks

Larry Cox, Alderman

Absent: Jane Easterly

Project 350: Tom Simkins, Project 350

Minutes:

October minutes were approved with clarification, with motions from Bill Sime and Pat Trant. Clarification was in the Forestry report noting that Bill Sime was ensuring the Project 350 trees were included in the Forestry Report, rather than just mentioned as being planted.

Forestry Report:

Don Miles distributed an update of the Forestry report. It was noted that 12 trees were planted by Forestry and 4 by volunteers for a total of 16 trees planted in October 2022. There have been 112 trees planted YTD. Don informed the Commission that the Pickard Road Collection Site’s last day is November 20, 2022. Tom Simkins inquired about the mulch status, of which there is still a good supply.

Old Business:

Bill Sime provided an update on the status of the tree tags. He has talked to Mayor Peter Schwartzman who stated that the funding is not yet available. Bill estimates the cost to be around $1,000. Elizabeth Varner also had communication with the Mayor who stated the funding may not be available until after January 2023, as the funding source is not yet established, as it is pending the delivery of a solar project. Bill proposes looking at this in February or March 2023.

Reminder: Steele school has been contacted to be the site for the Arbor Day planting on April 28, 2023, next year. The School Principal is supposed to return the call.

Elizabeth informed the Commissioners that a letter was sent to anyone who has not attended 75% of the meetings, with a follow up thanking for their service. This was sent from the City Clerk’s Office. Pat Trant and Jane Easterly terms expired in June 2022 for the Tree Commission. Pat expressed interest in continuing. Elizabeth will contact Jane to see if she is interested in being re-appointed. If she continues, then there will be a full Tree Commission. Bill Sime’s term is up in 2023, with Dan Thompson and Anne Pennington being up in 2024.

New Business:

Pat Trant asked Tom Simkins to provide information on Keith Majors, a retired Arborist. He was an Arborist in Davenport and could possibly give a presentation in the future. It was suggested to ask him to attend our Tree Commission as and Ex Officio member or as a guest advisor. He would be beneficial in assisting with volunteers and proper planting techniques. Tom will ask if he would be interested in assisting.

Tom already has 40 potential planting requests for future plantings, which will be in 2023. The Galesburg Public Library has asked for 10 trees. There is also a potential park planned for Main and Chestnut Street, which could use trees, as well as on South Seminary Street. Tom commended Parks for doing a great job assisting Project 350. Tom has a list of trees and is looking at the tree inventory. Don is working on updating the tree list and plantings. Tom thinks there is about $3,600 left in the budget. Don Miles needs to follow up with Finance as to where the Knox College donation was placed in the budget. Don also suggested adding a donation request to the Champion Tree Application.

Ann Pennington asked about the new trees being moved during the renovation of H.T. Custer Park. Elizabeth explained that there are no plans at this time, as the park improvements are in the Engineering and planning phase currently.

Dan Thompson brought up the Champion Trees application. Pat suggested waiting to start this program again until spring. Dan suggested that the forms be created and promoted in the winter. Anne suggested adding a flyer to the water billing. Elizabeth suggested promoting around Arbor Day. It was agreed a press release in April would be good, with no deadline for applying.

Additional Comments:

Dan mentioned possibly donating $1000 to the Tree tags. He definitely wants to have tree tags on the December agenda.

Citizen Comments:

None

Meeting Was Adjourned.

https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Tree/2022/Tree%20Commission%20Minutes%20111522.pdf