City of Galesburg Tree Commission met Feb. 13.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:01 p.m. by Ann Pennington
Attendance: Members Present:
Jane Easterly, Ann Pennington, Dan Thompson, Bill Sime, Pat Trant
City of Galesburg:
Elizabeth Varner, Director Parks and Recreation
Absent: Larry Cox, Alderman/ Don Miles, Superintendent of Parks
Guest: Sam Larson
Minutes:
January 2023 minutes were approved, with motions from Jane Easterly and Bill Sime.
Forestry Report:
Don Miles had a 2023 update of the Forestry report prepared for review in his absence. There were 7 trees removed, 5 trimmed, 1 broken limb removed, and 21 loads of brush hauled by Divisions.
Old Business:
Elizabeth Varner reminded the Commission that Steele school was set to for an Arbor Day tree planting in 2023 with a Sugar Maple tree. She will contact the school for a location so a locate can be done by Parks.
Bill Sime will obtain new costs for tree tags, and will see if they can provide an example for the Tree Commission to review. The consensus was to have green tags. Round tags are $3.53 and rectangular are $7.50-$8.30. These are for 2” tags. There was a discussion about 3” round tags to add more information. Bill will check 3” with green color for pricing to add a number, common name and Standish Park Arboretum. Pat also recommended that the 3” round may only need a single nail.
Elizabeth handed out the new Standish Park tree inventory, provided by Don Miles, since the last one was in June 2020. Elizabeth will update #6 to read as “saccharum”. The list was provided to all commissioners.
Elizabeth Varner discussed the Champion Tree form. She found out the cost of adding a form. to the water bill would be around $500 to the commission. It was decided to prepare press releases for April in preparation for Arbor Day. She will also work at adding the form to the city website and add to Facebook. Sam Larson inquired on how trees were measured, with Dan providing an explanation for all.
Elizabeth informed the commission that the Bur Oak Cookie information was provided by the Historical Society.
New Business:
Anne asked if any terraces need trees added. It was suggested that trees be added to South Seminary Street.
Additional Comments:
Ann Pennington mentioned that Knox College may have a Chapter for Arbor Days. Tina Hope has left that position but it may be Deb Steinberg.
Bill will reach out to Tina Hope and the Mayor to see if there might be funds in the Knox College Chapter.
Citizen Comments: None
Sam Larson suggested trees along South Chambers Street between 3rd and 4th street has a large tree for a Champion Tree. Dan thinks it is a Catalpa. Dan measured it once and the owner did not want others to know about the tree. Everyone agreed permission is needed to measure trees and needs to see if owners are agreeable.
Meeting Was Adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
https://cms7files.revize.com/galesburg/Document_Center/Agendas%20and%20Minutes/Tree/2023/Tree%20Commission%20Minutes%20021323.pdf
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