January 26, 2012 Meeting Minutes -
7:00 PM Meeting called to order by Sheri Luedtke.
Members attending: Sheri Luedtke, Elliot Tramer, Amy Schultz, Janet Traub,
Village Council participant: Michelle
Tippie, Village Staff participant: James Forrest.
Minutes of the November 17, 2011 Tree Commission meeting were reviewed, and
Elliot Tramer moved they beaccepted with the addition of Kim Bunge as having
been in attendance. Amy Schultz seconded, and the minuteswere accepted with the
correction.
Election of Officers Michelle Tippie presided over the election of Tree
Commission officers for 2012.
Voting members present unanimously approved Sheri Luedtke as Chair and Judy
Kethel as Vice-chair. Themeeting of the Commission was reopened under the newly
approved direction.
Old Business
Spring Public Workshop Sheri Luedtke has tentatively arranged for Amy Stone,
extension agent at theToledo Botanical Gardens, to lead a spring workshop in
Village Hall. The only Saturday Amy is available is
March 10th, so the commission members agreed to set the workshop for that date,
to begin at 10 AM.
Scheduled Update of Tree Inventory Electronic Database Amy Schultz and Judy
Kethelworked to field-update much of the record on the tree inventory. Sheri was
able to provide the data sheets toDan Wyandt from Penta who is cooperating to
have students update the GIS database. The field update was
rushed at the end, and the Commission agreed to try to avoid having our part of
the project come so close to thedeadline in the quarterly updates to come.
James Forrest has a log-sheet of tree removals and tree plantings by the
Village, mainly in Village Meadows
subdivision, which he can provide Mr Wyandt in the future.
James Forrest then gave an account of other recent tree plantings, which include
several on Waterville andProvidence Streets and in the village park. The blue
spruce in BLT park has been removed. In February theVillage Meadows Plats 3 and
4 are scheduled for pruning and young tree training.
Village Memorial Tree Program A memorial tree sponsored by Jean Costilla has
been planted alongthe tree chaussee. The Village staff is still developing a
durable means for fixing the commemorative plaque tothe site to discourage any
vandalism.
The Commission discussed how the process is still not completely smooth and the
need to have a step by stepprotocol so the process will not be stalled or only
partly executed. Janet Traub will provide a list of the steps
discussed during the meeting for the members to act on in the next meeting.
Tree City Application
The application for Tree City 2011 was turned in on time and its receipt was
acknowledged by State UrbanForester, Stephanie Miller.
Waterville-Whitehouse Tree City 2013 Discussion
The Hope United Methodist Church has facilities well-suited for the 2013 Tree
City Ceremonies. The Tree City istraditionally on a Wednesday, and Hope United
holds a community lunch every Wednesday. Sheri has askedConnie, the secretary at
Hope United for a letter stating that the church will be unavailable Wednesdays,
andSheri will pursue the idea with Stephanie Miller of holding the 2013
ceremonies on a Thursday.
February 23, 2012 Meeting Minutes -
Commissioners present: Sheri Luedtke, Amy Schultz, Kim Bunge, Elliot Tramer;
Village Council Representative Michelle Tippie; Village Staff Representative
James Forrest
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairperson Sheri Luedtke.
The minutes of the January 26, 2012 meeting were approved (moved: Amy Schultz,
seconded: Kim Bunge).
OLD BUSINESS:
A.
Memorial Tree Planting Procedures
The draft document prepared by Janet Traub was discussed at length. Revisions
were suggested to reduce the number of steps by combining events that were to
occur simultaneously. Elliot Tramer agreed to attempt a second draft,
which will be distributed electronically before the March WTC meeting.
B.
Review of the Tree Ordinance
Sheri Luedtke and Elliot Tramer met on February 13 to review the Ordinance.
Under “Trees in New Subdivisions”, it was suggested that the word “develop” be
struck since WTC reviewed but did not develop tree plans for new subdivisions.
Changes were also suggested for the list of prohibited trees, and a spelling
change noted (change “affect” to ‘effect” in para.3, line 3 under “Duty of
Private Property Owner”). Sheri Luedtke will draft proposed changes in the
Ordinance and Tree List for final consideration at the March WTC meeting.
It was noted that the list of prohibited trees could not be accessed on the
Village web site, and needs to be available there.
C.
Planting Proposal for Whitehouse Cemetery
The proposal to plant screening vegetation along the cemetery boundary was
forwarded to WTC for our recommendation. Residents of properties adjoining
the cemetery have invited us to walk the area; we agreed to do so and will meet
at the cemetery on Saturday March 3 at 10:00 a.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
A.
Tree Planting Plan for Waterville Street Overlay
The Village is planning to create an attractive gateway corridor along Route 64
from the Blue Creek bridge westward into the heart of town. The Village
Administrator has asked whether WTC would like to take on design of the woody
plantings for the project. WTC voted unanimously to do so.
B.
Arbor Day Planning
Due to the lateness of the hour, this item will be considered at the March WTC
meeting. Commission members were asked to be thinking about what trees to
plant.
Finalize Seminar
Amy Stone will speak on tree insect pests and diseases at the Village Municipal
Building on Saturday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. Council Chambers has been
reserved. Publicity for the event: Michelle Tippie will contact the Mirror
newspaper; Sheri Luedtke will contact Barb Knisely to have appropriate signage
posted.
Spring Planting Schedule
James will report on spring planting at the March WTC meeting.
OTHER ITEMS:
Trees are being trimmed in Village Meadows. New tree plantings are in
place around the small quarry on Route 64. Clearing of brush is under way
along the fence bordering the large quarry.
Hope United Methodist Church appears to be an ideal location for hosting the
2013 Tree City USA celebration, but is not available on Wednesdays. Sheri
Luedtke has contacted Stephanie Miller to see if the celebration can be moved to
a different day of the week. Stephanie has not replied yet.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:41 p.m. (moved Amy Schultz; seconded Kim Bunge).
March 29, 2012 Meeting Minutes -