HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Commission Minutes 011022CITY OF GALESBURG
Parks and Recreation Department
Operating Under Council – Manager Government Since 1957
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Tree Commission Minutes, January 10, 2022
City Hall, Galesburg, Illinois
Meeting was called to order by Tony Oligney-Estill at 4:00 P.M.
Roll Call: Present: Members: Ann Pennington, Pat Trant, Jane Easterly, Daniel Thompson,
Bill Sime and Director of Parks & Recreation-Tony Oligney-Estill
Absent:
Minutes of November 8, 2021 where approved.
Forestry Report:
• The Forestry Report was approved.
Old Business:
• Superintendent of Parks, Don Miles, has agreed to attend the Tree Commission meeting
once a quarter. Director Oligney-Estill will figure out if Mr. Miles will attend the
February or March meeting.
New Business:
• Two new commissioners were added to the Tree Commission, Daniel Thompson and Bill
Sime.
• Both Maintenance Workers in the Forestry Division have indicated they would like to
become Certified Arborists. The City’s plan is to send one Maintenance Worker to get
certified in 2022 and the other Maintenance Worker certified in 2023.
• A request was made by Commissioner Trant to have a copy of all the end of year
Forestry Reports to compare them and see any trends. Director Oligney-Estill will work
on providing them.
• Commissioner Trant recommended buying smaller, maybe 1” to 2” caliper trees for the
tree nursery instead of the 3” to 4” trees. Commissioner Trant felt the trees would cost
less, so more trees could be purchased, and they would have just a good of a chance of
surviving. Director Oligney-Estill stated the City buys 3” to 4” caliper trees because that
was the recommendation of the past two City Arborists. If evidence was found that 1” to
2” caliper trees has as good a chance of survival, Director Oligney-Estill said he would
support buying the smaller trees. Commissioner Thompson said he would do some
research and get back to us.
• Director Oligney-Estill sent new member information to Commissioner Thompson and
Sime along with the most recent version of the Arboricultural Specifications Manual.
Director Oligney-Estill said he would said a copy of these documents to the other three
commissioners.
• Commissioners have been asked to review the Arboricultural Specifications Manual as it
is supposed to be updated every year. Director Oligney-Estill said he would work on
trying to find updated information about invasive species for the manual.
CITY OF GALESBURG
Parks and Recreation Department
Operating Under Council – Manager Government Since 1957
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• Discussion was had on how more trees could be planted. Director Oligney-Estill
explained the current state of staffing and priorities of the City in terms of trees. The
discussion included possibly finding volunteers to help plant trees and/or water newly
planted trees to help the staff in the Forestry Division.
Citizen Comments:
• Holly Whittet Allison emailed Commissioner Easterly. The email reads “Hello Jane. I
heard there was a tree commission and saw you were on it and I hoped you might share
my concerns at your next meeting. I am writing with some concerns as a citizen of
Galesburg. I have noticed over the years many trees coming down around my
neighborhood of Prairie, Cherry and Broad Street with no replanting efforts. I see trees in
seemingly perfect health being taken down and with the state of the global climate I am
wondering who is making the decision to take down these trees? Especially when the
push across the globe is to do everything possible to save the older trees for their impact
on climate health. I also wonder if there are any replanting efforts as there must be grants
available to cities to do such things. Is this something that Galesburg on Track could help
with? Do we have an arborist for the city that can make these informed delicate
decisions? Thanks for passing this along. Sorry I don’t know anyone else’s email and
never heard back from the Mayor. Holly Whittet Allison” Director Oligney-Estill said he
would respond to Ms. Whittet Allison.
Meeting adjourned at 4:47 P.M.
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Tony Oligney-Estill, Director of Parks and Recreation