HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Commission Minutes 010923
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Tree Commission – January 9, 2023
City Hall, Galesburg, IL
Meeting Called to Order: Meeting was called to order at 4:00 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
Guest: Tom Simkins, Project 350
Absent: Larry Cox, Alderman
Minutes:
December minutes were approved, with motions from Jane Easterly and Bill Sime.
Forestry Report:
Don Miles distributed an update of the Forestry report, explaining that additional work was
being completed at Inbinder Park today. There were 26 total trees planted by Forestry, 112
planted by volunteers, 162 trees removed, 107 scrub trees removed, and 37 EAB trees removed
in 2022. Don explained that scrub brush included areas that needed cleared out.
Old Business:
Elizabeth Varner updated the Commission that Steele school was set to for an Arbor Day tree
planting in 2023. They would like a Sugar Maple tree. We will need to have the location so
Parks can do a locate for digging at least a week prior to the planting.
Bill Sime provided an update on the status of the tree tags and handed out samples. It will
take 6-8 weeks to receive the tree tags once they are ordered. Pat Trant suggested that laser
etching was not as visible and that having a number is essential while the name is convenient.
Bill suggested a 2” tag with one hole that has a nail and spring. Pat likes the rectangular with
additional commissioners agreeing. Dan Thompson is donating the tree tags and suggested the
simple name and having Standish Park Arboretum. Elizabeth Varner shared the Standish Park
brochure. It was agreed to have green rectangular tags as the preferred with the following
etching on the tree tags.
-Standish Park Arboretum
-Number
-Species – Common Names and possibly the Scientific Name
Bill will obtain a cost difference between the round and rectangular tags as well as the etching
price. He will also check the cost on having the common name and the number, as well as
Standish Park Arboretum. Dan prefers the Common name and number.
City Hall 55 W. Tompkins Street Galesburg, IL 61401 309-343-4181 www.ci.galesburg.il.us
Don Miles will confirm the Standish Park tree inventory. Last inventory was completed June
2020. Don is having the inventory for Forestry updated with our GIS professional. Tom
Simkins is working on updating the tree inventory in the computer tablet, but cannot be as
Specific on the names.
Elizabeth Varner provided an updated Champion Tree form. It was suggested to check the cost
on adding to a water bill mailing. This may be costly. If so, press releases can go out to the
public. Jane Easterly wanted to know how to determine what 4’ above ground was for
measurement. Don stated that starting to measure 4’ off the ground is good to get the
diameter. Other changes included a new picture, adding city logo, taking off Genus, Species,
adding an email to the nominating information and taking off the donation opportunity so as
not to deter nominations. Elizabeth will update the form for the next meeting.
Jane Easterly would like information on the Bur Oak Cookie by the Elections Office on the dates
and history. Elizabeth will check and see if information is available. Tom saw a Bur Oak in the
November 2021 edition of the Register-Mail. It was suggested to use the Bur Oak to start on
this as the largest tree.
New Business:
Tom Simkins has earmarked a variety of 25 trees for spring plantings at Greenview, with a 75%
discount.
Elizabeth reported that an application was submitted for the Tree Growth Award and has been
accepted by the IDNR but will still need accepted by the Arbor Foundation, just as the Tree City
USA Application. She submitted this application, which is based on point, largely due to Project
350 and Forestry planting of trees this past year.
Tom asked to let him know if there are any terraces needing trees. He thinks South Seminary
Street needs terraces.
Additional Comments:
Don suggested checking to see if Bill Sime is up for reappointment. Tom invited everyone to a
Park talk on Wednesday night, and Elizabeth invited everyone for an H.T. Custer Park
Public Input Meeting on January 24, 2023.
Citizen Comments: None
Meeting Was Adjourned at 4:37 pm. With motions from Pat Trant and Bill Sime.
Next Meeting: Monday, February 13th, 2023.
Elizabeth Varner
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Director of Parks & Recreation, Elizabeth Varner