HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Commission Minutes 080822
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Tree Commission – August 8, 202
City Hall, Galesburg, IL
Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Elizabeth Varner
Attendance: Members Present: Jane Easterly, Ann Pennington, Dan Thompson,
Bill Sime
City of Galesburg:
Elizabeth Varner, Director Parks and Recreation
Don Miles, Superintendent of Parks
Larry Cox, Alderman
Absent: Daniel Leahy
Guest: Terry Tulin
Minutes: July 11, 2022 minutes were approved.
Forestry Report:
Don Miles distributed an update of the Forestry report. Tom Simkins is up to 70 trees at this
point, but there is not a lot of change since July. Ann Pennington asked if all the Ash trees are
removed. Don stated there were 24 in Lincoln Park and several on city street, but some are still
being treated and are still alive. Don will check on the total number, as well as the total with
the Linden and Crab Apple trees which have been hit by the Japanese beetles. Japanese
beetles have not been kind to rose bushes or house vines either.
Old Business:
It was mentioned that Dan Thompson would like to get the numbers for the trees in Standish
Arboretum with updated inventory. Ann Pennington thinks there are three new trees which
need added to the inventory in this location. Elizabeth Varner will check for a PDF of a map.
Jane Easterly sent an updated map to Don Miles during the process of the meeting. Debbie
Seinberg, a past Commissioner, once updated this map, and Jim Cueno may have a copy.
New Business:
Bill Sime brought up Arbor Day and where a new tree should be planted. Elizabeth reminded
that Steele School was mentioned so we should reach out to them.
Ann Pennington noted that there is a property on Main Street which could be a place for 70
trees in the future. Larry Cox explained that a house was being demolished and Tom Simkins
has plans for this area.
Larry Cox is the liaison for the City Council. He mentioned updating the tree inventory. He
believes Tom Simkins, Don Miles and Chris Fones have an IPad to continually provide
these updates. Larry thinks some are not inventoried at this point. He also stated there is a
blue spruce at 3266 Lakeside Court.
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Dan Thompson arrived and passed out Standish Park Arboretum map with 48 different trees
from November 2020. There was mention of a previous list with 1-180 trees, but now shows
1-48 trees. Dan also suggests having the trees in alphabetical order. He does not believe the
numbers are corresponding and that there need to be new tree tags, as he can not find any.
Dan would like Forestry to check the list and get tree tags. Bill Sime will call Morton Arboretum
to check on the cost of tags and do some research. Bill and Don will work on this. Don
explained that as the trees expand and grow, the tags fall off. Ann asked if there was a tree key
at Standish Park of which Don informed it is at the North and South end of the park.
Ann thinks the revision shows 122 trees and 155 shrubs in Standish Park. There are 67 species
of trees listed, but 2022 shows 48 species so she thinks 19 species were removed. This is more
work for Forestry. Don will check on this. The city website needs reviewed.
Dan Thompson sent Don Miles and email regarding Lancaster Park needing some branches
down. He states there are multiple limbs. The southside task force meeting noticed it. They
want to make the park look good at Lancaster.
Additional Comments:
Anne will check Trees for Galesburg to see if there is something to help with identification. Don
will look at the tree inventory on the city website. He thinks he can break the inventory down
by parks and other categories. Don believes Standish Park may have been updated in 2019-
2020. Dan Thompson mentioned it is hard to navigate the city website.
Citizen Comments: Terry Tulin saw a need for people to volunteer for commissions, and he
due to his interest in trees wanted to learn more about the Tree Commission. He asked how
many works on trees, if outside contractors are hired, if there is a program encouraging the
public to plant on their own property and how we purchase trees. Typically, there are 4-5 staff
to work on trees, with 2 being full time, but this has been a busy summer. Don explained we
usually do not hire outside contractors. He also explained Project 350 and how Tom Simkins is
encouraging terrace trees that are around 1-1½” trees. The city purchases and plants trees
and that Tom has a budget of $50,000 for trees this year, which is usually $10,00 per year.
Tom has been hired part time to assist with this project. Terry brought up the idea of newly
planted trees having water bags.
Meeting Adjourned: 4:45 p.m.
Next Meeting: Monday, September 12, 2022
Elizabeth Varner
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Director of Parks & Recreation, Elizabeth Varner