HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Commission Minutes 111522
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Tree Commission – November 15, 2022
City Hall, Galesburg, IL
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
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
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.
Next Meeting: Monday, December 12, 2022.
Elizabeth Varner
_____________________________________________
Director of Parks & Recreation, Elizabeth Varner