HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Minutes 060820CITY OF GALESBURG
Parks and Recreation Department
Operating Under Council – Manager Government Since 1957
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Tree Commission Minutes, June 8, 2020
City Hall, Galesburg, Illinois
Meeting was called to order by Tony Oligney-Estill at 4:02 P.M.
Roll Call: Present: Members: Pat Trant, Ann Pennington, Debbie Steinberg, Jane Easterly,
and Director of Parks & Recreation-Tony Oligney-Estill
Absent: Millie Allen, City Arborist-Ryan Creek
Minutes of March 9, 2020 where approved. There were no meetings in April or May due to
COVID-19.
Arborist Report:
• The Arborist report was approved.
Old Business:
• Due to COVID-19, the Arbor Day Celebration scheduled for April 24 and 25 in
conjunction with the Library’s Big Read program was postponed. The new date will be
August 22 beginning at 10:00 am. Three trees will be planted on this day. Jane Easterly
knows the locations for the tree plantings. Ryan will work with Jane to have those tree
locations prepared for the plantings on August 22nd.
• More trees have been added to the removal list and with a modified work schedule due to
COVID-19 for the past eight weeks or so, not as many trees have been removed. There
are approximately 25 trees on the list now compared to 17 trees back in March.
• Tony sent Debbie a PDF of the existing Standish Park Arboretum map. Debbie does not
have access to the trees at Standish Park in the TreeKeeper software. Tony will get
Debbie a map of the existing trees in Standish Park. The TreeKeeper Software licensing
expires in early July. City staff will have all the data converted over to GIS software
which the City has access to.
New Business:
• Jane mentioned that there is a perception in the community that the City does not allow
nor want new trees planted in the terrace area around the City. Tony suggested that some
PR is needed to address this situation. The PR would include informing the community
that the City would like to see more trees planted and if a resident wanted a terrace tree,
to inform the Tree Commission.
• Tony informed the commission that effective immediately, the City will work on
removing trees two days a week and maintaining trees and dealing with stumps and
landscaping three days a week. Also, all communication from the Arborist will occur on
Thursday each week. Communication includes returning phone calls, returning emails
and going to look at trees residents have issued concerns about. This schedule set to meet
the staffing levels and staffing schedule. This schedule will most likely change in July
when communication will occur on Friday. During tree planting season which is typically
CITY OF GALESBURG
Parks and Recreation Department
Operating Under Council – Manager Government Since 1957
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April through early June and September through October, trees will be planted on Friday
each week.
• Tree City USA organization has issued a statement that the Arbor Day Proclamation can
be made at any point this year due to COVID-19. Tony will have the proclamation read at
the August 17 City Council Meeting.
Citizen Comments:
• None
Meeting adjourned at 4:30 P.M.
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Tony Oligney-Estill, Director of Parks and Recreation