HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Commission Minutes 121222
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Tree Commission – December 14, 2022
City Hall, Galesburg, IL
Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:05 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
Don Miles, Superintendent of Parks
Absent: Larry Cox, Alderman
Minutes:
November minutes were approved, with motions from Bill Sime and Pat Trant.
Forestry Report:
Don Miles distributed an update of the Forestry report. The Pickard Road Collection site closed
on November 21, 2022. Forestry also worked hard to complete stump landscaping. The
weather has been a large factor in work projects. Pat Trant inquired about the mulch being
added to where the trees were planted in Lincoln Park. Don confirmed this was completed.
Old Business:
Elizabeth Varner will send another email regarding Arbor Day in 2023 to Steele School. Steele
school has been contacted for planting on April 28, 2023, next year. The School Principal is
planning on having the tree planting once she has the blessing of John Asplund.
Pat Trant is interested in seeing if Keith Majors, a retired Arborist, would be interested in
attending meetings or giving a future presentation. Tom Simkins had offered to contact him at
an earlier meeting. Tom continues to look to the future with planting requests throughout the
city. He is setting aside trees for various areas in the city. Dan Thompson is active with the
trees at the library as well. Don is working on updating the tree list and plantings.
Elizabeth reported that she is working with Don to develop a new form for the Champion Trees
application, which they would like to start in the spring. This should be ready at the January
2023 meeting.
Bill Sime provided an update on the status of the tree tags. He suggests 2” rounds to it is less
expensive for the variety of trees. This would include nails, and is estimated to be around
$325. It will also depend on what is engraved on the tag. Suggestions were made to have City
of Galesburg across the top and a number that corresponds to the tree. They recommend
black tags with the laser etching. Bill suggests ordering 120 for additional growth. Every spot
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
should be on the map and identified so they know the proper tags to purchase. Don will need
to compare with the inventory of 2020 and go from there. He knows there were three trees
panted this spring that were not added to the inventory.
Bill Sime provided an inventory of trees in Standish Park, which Jane Easterly had complied to
assist with tags. There is a need to check and complete the inventory, as well as a map
showing the trees. The Standish Park Arboretum map provided a close estimate. Dan
Thompson will check this as well. Dan would like to also see the website and wants input on
the order of tags. Ann Pennington asked Don to check tree inventory, map and list. Jane
Easterly is going to look for a logo. She did find an old logo.
Dan Thompson graciously was offering to donate $1,000 for tree tags. It was decided to hold
off on a donation, as the tree tags might be closer to $500. He wants to donate money to
purchase the tags so once the Tree Commission is ready then he will know how much to
donate. Dan does not expect to be reimbursed, but wants to donate the tree tags to assist the
Tree Commission.
Elizabeth informed the Commissioners that Pat Trant and Jane Easterly have agreed to be
reappointed to the Tree Commission.
New Business:
None
Additional Comments:
None
Citizen Comments:
None
Meeting Was Adjourned at 4:37 pm. With motions from Don Miles and Pat Trant.
Next Meeting: Monday, January 8, 2023
Elizabeth Varner
_____________________________________________
Director of Parks & Recreation, Elizabeth Varner