Tree Advisory Board Meeting 4.22.2022

Detailed briefing

Tree Advisory Board Meeting — April 22, 2022 ATTENDEES: Roll call recorded Patrick Wise, Anna Mulder, Chancellor O'Donnell, John Cassidy and student representative Savannah; Nancy Rondell was absent. • The board approved the previous meeting minutes with no opposition. Members clarified that promotional material should identify a donor/company as “Louis A. Hoffman.” • Staff reported that several large, dead or failing silver maples on the east side of State Street between Lake and Snyder will be removed during a sidewalk replacement project. A full-size compliant sidewalk will take up most of the right-of-way, so replacement trees may not be feasible there. Members said the city cannot currently replace every tree it removes because of limited funds and infrastructure conflicts. • The board reviewed ranked priorities from its implementation matrix. Potential summer work includes street-tree planting guidelines and an ordinance or policy related to designated heritage trees. The May 20 meeting is expected to concentrate on Arbor Day Fest loose ends and implementation planning. • Main Street tree discussion focused on a longer-term DDA/Benchmark streetscape plan intended to standardize tree pits, locations and species. The broader project was described as likely costing about $300,000 with inflation. The DDA said it remains a priority, is considering grants and future reserves, and sees drawbacks to phasing the work because of aesthetics and repeated traffic-control costs. • The DDA will fund replacement of three downtown trees. The board discussed not replacing trees at two long-vacant, unsuitable locations, or the tree near the former Dr. Pierce office, because those locations do not fit the proposed plan. Staff said replacement species would follow the existing proposed plan. • Arbor Day Fest preparations are moving ahead: sponsors and health licensing were secured, pine trees were ordered, the event schedule was set, Farmers Market participation was arranged, and a high-school art teacher agreed to collect student nature artwork. Members favored tree-identification placards with short educational facts rather than relying mainly on QR codes. • For the area where a hedgerow was removed, members agreed to pursue at least three diverse trees: a Skyline locust, red oak and linden, with final quantity dependent on available space. Worth watching: • Whether State Street tree losses can be offset through plantings elsewhere. • DDA progress on grants, reserves and a funding path for the full Main Street streetscape project. • Final coordination of Arbor Day Fest signage, placards, trail details and liability paperwork. Upcoming: The next board meeting is May 20; members plan to focus on Arbor Day Fest preparations and implementation-matrix follow-through. Why it matters: The discussion links immediate tree removals and event planning to longer-term goals for canopy, species diversity and a more durable downtown streetscape.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.