HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Commission Minutes 021025
Parks and Recreation Department
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Tree Commission Minutes, February 10, 2025
City Hall, Galesburg, Illinois
Meeting was called to order by Ann Pennington at 4:00 pm
Roll Call: Present: Members: Ann Pennington, Pat Trant, Dan Thompson, Bill Sime, Jane
Easterly, via phone, approved by vote, Tom Simkins, and Parks and Recreation
Director Don Miles
Absent: none
Minutes: Minutes from the January meeting were approved by a motion from Pat Trant,
seconded by Bill Sime.
Forestry Report:
The Forestry Report was provided for January. Pat Trant inquired about the high number of
trees removed already. Director Miles stated that some trees were trees out by Pickard Road
that the Sanitary District requested be removed. Director Miles will get confirmation on the
count of trees removed from which areas and report back next month. Director Miles
announced that a new maintenance worker had been hired in Forestry. Jared Novak has a
degree in Forestry and has several years of tree maintenance experience before coming to the
City. Jared is an excellent addition to the Forestry staff. Director Miles stated that the Tree City
application as well as the Growth Award application have passed through the first round of
approvals.
Old Business:
Ann Pennington stated that the Arbor Day tree planting has been presented to the School
District for planting at King Elementary on Friday April 25th . Approval from the District
Superintendent will have to be confirmed but see no issues with it.
Discussion was held regarding the NOVA Singers display. Bill Sime passed around a version of a
press release. Ideas were discussed and narrowed down to what everyone felt would make for
an interesting display. Bill is going to ask about power availability to have a monitor with a slide
show displaying information about Project 350 tree plantings, tree inventory numbers, etc.
Signup sheets will be on the table as well to spark interest in either volunteering to help plant
trees or have a tree planted. Another idea was to have the Standish Arboretum map (hopefully
updated) on display as well, showing residents that we have an arboretum in Galesburg. Tom
Simkins will pass on several of his power point presentations for Bill Sime to look at it and
possibly use for the presentation. The idea of having a live container tree on display was
discussed. A drawing could be held for someone to win the tree and have it planted in their
yard.
Parks and Recreation Department
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New Business:
Tom Simkins gave a short update of what is planned for tree planting in 2025. Funds have been
budgeted to keep the program going. Tom tagged 48 trees at Greenview Nursery last fall that
were discounted for spring delivery. Tom has also met with a few downtown businesspeople to
discuss tree plantings in the downtown business district. People are still calling and asking to have
trees planted.
Citizen Comments:
None.
Meeting adjourned at 4:42 P.M.
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Don Miles, Parks and Recreation Director