SHADE TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MEETING OF JUNE 16, 2004

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chad Morse, John Hoffman, Kevin Behrens, Dennis DeWeese, and Barry Adler.  Barb Bushong and David Burke were excused.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Barb McCoy, Dana Clay, Lisa Bowers, Greg Nelson, Phil Stevens and Stan Coral.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

Page 1 – last line – change “right” to “upright columnar…” 

 

The minutes from the meeting of May 19, 2004, were approved.

 

REPORT OF SECRETARY: 

 

COMMENTS BY CITIZENS:  None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·        Landscape Plan – Clymer Road Storage Buildings – 679 Clymer Road – filed by Bob Montgomery

 

The checklist received from Blake Rafeld was reviewed with no deficiencies noted.  Mr. Behrens made a motion to approve the landscape plan as presented; voice vote was unanimous.

 

·        Landscape Plan  - Sumitomo Electric Research Facility – 16940 Square Drive – Filed by Ferguson Construction

 

The checklist received from Blake Rafeld was reviewed.  It was noted buffering not required on east side of property because there is no parking area, however, Commission noted it would be visually appealing to continue the mounding around entire property although not required.  Mr. DeWeese made motion to approve the landscape plan as presented; voice vote was unanimous.

 

·        Landscape Plan  - Nelson Lamborghini Dealership – Watkins Road- filed by Greg Nelson

 

Mr. Nelson stated some utilities are in place.  URE will bury all their utility lines and run gas line across property.  Commission questioned where water and sewer lines would be located.  Mrs. McCoy stated according to Blake’s calculations, 15 street trees will be required; 28 perimeter trees and 12 landscape area trees.  Mr. Adler stated past policy of Commission is to count landscape trees adjacent to parking areas as perimeter trees.  That would make the landscape plan 8 trees 

short for perimeter use areas and 15 street trees.  Street trees can be planted 6’ off edge of parking lot. Discussion held concerning callery pear trees not being appropriate because of attraction for birds.  It was agreed thornless honeylocust trees would be more appropriate.  Can plant two in each landscape area instead of one callery pear.  Thornless honeylocust has small leaves and no fruit.  Can be limbed up for good visibility of vehicles on display.  It was suggested small non-fruiting upright trees such as Ivory Silk Lilacs and Coral Burst non-fruiting crabapples, be used adjacent to vehicle use areas.

 

A motion was made by Mr. DeWeese to replace tilia varieties with thornless honeylocust and changes be resubmitted for final approval by Shade Tree Commission.  Voice vote was unanimous.

 

OTHER:  

 

Lisa Bowers, regional urban forester, was present at the meeting to observe.  Ms. Bowers stated five years ago Marysville was chosen for a program where pictures were taken for comparison in five years.  Several pictures were found in the archives from five years ago and pictures taken today to show how the trees have grown.  Will be done again in five years.  Interviews have been with Barry Adler, John Hoffman, Joe Tracey and Barb McCoy.  Ms. Bowers stated she attends other community Shade Tree meetings to observe also.  Ms. Bowers shared several examples of other community’s literature concerning proper tree planting, care and types of trees.  Of note were different door hangers that might prove useful for Marysville.  It was noted 8-9 resistant varieties of American Elms would be planted in Marysville by her program.  September 16 will be the Central Ohio Urban Forester Annual Conference. 

 

Discussion held concerning possible “cost share” program where City would share cost of street trees with residents.  Has worked well in other cities.

 

Ms. Bowers stated work is proceeding on statewide urban tree inventory where they would work with cities to complete a city tree inventory.  Shade Tree Commission agreed this program is greatly needed for the safety of citizens – one hazardous tree falling would be worth the cost of the software and manpower to take an inventory to remove dead/dangerous trees.

 

Dana Clay, Sanitation Department, was present.  He discussed his job responsibilities, which includes trimming trees as time permits.  Would like to attend seminars for training.

 

Dennis DeWeese stated he attended the Woodland Seminar presented by OSU on June 11th.  He stated it was a useful seminar as he received a book describing most of the trees grown in Ohio.

 

John Hoffman stated he is working with an eagle scout that would like to label trees on the Jim Simmons trail.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.