January 24, 2008
February 28, 2008 Meeting Minutes
The Whitehouse Tree Commission meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sheri Luedtke at 7:00 P.M. Members present: Nancy Rood, Sheri Luedtke, Veronica Judy Kethel, Elliot Tramer, Janet Traub, Kim Bunge, Staff Representative James Forrest, Village Administrator Dennis Recker and Council Representative Michelle Tippie.
The Chairperson informed the Commission of the need and process to be used to select Commission officers for the new year. The Chairperson then opened the floor to nominations for the Commission Chairperson. Judy Kethel asked the current Chairperson if she would be willing to serve another year in the Chairmanship. After an affirmative response Judy Kethel nominated Sheri Luedtke for the Chairperson position. Elliot Tramer moved nominations for chair be closed. Sheri Luedtke was unanimously elected to serve as Chairperson for 2008. Nominations were then opened for Vice Chairman. Judy Kethel volunteered to serve in that capacity. Judy Kethel was unanimously elected to the Vice Chair position. The Commission members agreed to rotate the duty of secretary and a revised annual meeting plan showing the name of the Commission member who will be responsible for minutes each month will be distributed in the next meeting packet.
The Commission then approved the minutes of the November 28, 2007 Commission meeting.
The Commission members decide not to conduct the main street tree lawn inspection and instead members will review these trees on their own. The general consensus was to reuse bricks to form single tier (one brick) brick boundaries around the trees with mulch in as filler.
The Commission's next item of business was a review of the Village's Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Management Plan. Sheri Luedtke and Judy Kethel worked on this document and led the Commission through the review. The Commission approved the document with minor working changes. Sheri Luedtke will update the document and send it to the Administrator for typing. The document will be placed on the Village web site.
A Tree Commission Icon will be added to the Village's web site for direct connection to the Tree Commission information documents and tree care guidance. This task will be followed up by Village representative James Forrest.
During the EAB Management Plan review the Commission decided on a policy of removing all Ash Trees rather than using a long term more costly treatment approach. James Forrest indicated that there are very few unaffected trees and that a more suitable tree could be planted on sites where Ash Trees are removed. The new plan calls for the Tree Commission to review the tree inventory and provide input annually to Council by the end of August with estimated tree replacement costs. Trees will be removed in time for a preferable fall planting sequence.
Mr. Chris Foley, an Associate Professor with Owens Community College, then addressed the Commission. Mr. Foley discussed an Owens Community College student in the Landscape and Turf Management Program who will conduct the tree inventory in our Community Park. The student is very accomplished and motivated to undertake this duty as a capstone project in his academic program with Owens Community College. James Forrest will coordinate with the student to set up his inventory training along with some GPS familiarization. All new Commission members agreed to participate in this training as well. Stephanie Miller, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Urban Forester, will be invited to assist in this training. Kim Bunge volunteered the temporary use of private GPS equipment for training and use in the Village's tree inventory. Janet Traub mentioned that Lucas County has excellent topographic and area photo maps of the county that could be used along with GPS coordinates to map more densely populated tree area within the Village. Nancy Rood volunteered to follow up on this task.
Other items discussed:
" The passing of former Tree Commission member Harry Behrendt. The Tree Commission will plant a memorial tree in Mr. Behrendt's memory this year. " Agenda items for the March 27, 2008 meeting. " Judy Kethel moved to carry business items 6 and 7 from the current meeting to the March Tree Commission agenda. " Elliot Tramer provided all present with an article on the battle to retain urban tree forests. " A new Tree Commission contact roster will be distributed showing newly elected officers.
Chairperson Luedtke called for a motion to adjourn. Elliot Tramer moved to adjourn, seconded by Janet Traub. Motion carried 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 P.M.
March 27, 2008 Meeting Minutes
The Whitehouse Tree Commission meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sheri Luedtke at 7:00 P.M. Members present: Nancy Rood, Sheri Luedtke, Veronica Judy Kethel, Janet Traub, Kim Bunge, Staff Representative James Forrest, Village Administrator Dennis Recker and Council Representative Michelle Tippie.
The commission approved the minutes of the February 28, 2008 meeting. Motion: Veronica Judy Kethel 2nd:Nancy Rood Vote: unanimous.
Update on Ash Tree Removal Coordination James Forrest reported that Juan Chapa of Penn-Line, a contractor with Toledo Edison, will help remove ash trees for the village at no charge.
Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan for the Village has been amended by Sheri Luedtke as discussed by the Commission at the February meeting. Dennis Recker will notify the Village Council that it is in place, and get it posted to the Village website.
Arbor Day Event Planning for April 25, Friday The Commission plans to have a tree planting ceremony at 2:00 PM near the intersection of the bike trail with Providence Street. There may be one or more trees planted, but the main tree will be dedicated to the memory of Harry Behrendt, our recently deceased Commission member. Sheri will contact the elementary school to see if their classes can participate. For pre-publicity we will set up a grocery-bag tree-theme decoration project with the elementary schools. Our local grocery stores will then pack purchases in the decorated bags before Arbor Day arrives. In addition, Veronica Judy Kethel will contact the local papers for printing an announcement and to arrange to have a reporter present.
Ohio Urban Forestry Communications From Urban Forester, Stephanie Miller: we received e-mails advising us to expect the announcement of a session of "New Tree Commission Orientation," but have not got any additional information yet. To Stephanie: We will e-mail her a copy of our just completed Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan.
Tree Inventory Update James is trying to set up the day to have our horticultural student-volunteer meet with Stephanie to go through the street-tree inventory lesson. Stephanie is out of town but should be back soon. April 21 or 24 are the tentative dates for the training.
Tree City USA The Tree City Awards will be April 16 in Wapakoneta, Auglaise County. Stephanie Miller has much of the material in-hand for the Village of Whitehouse presentation. We have not received the particulars of registering from the Wapakoneta organizers yet, so Dennis Recker and Sheri Luedtke will ask Stephanie for more information.
Tree Chaussee James Forrest presented his ideas on lining the downtown bike trail area with specimens of the street-trees which Whitehouse has listed in its tree policy. Appropriate labeling with identifying names and characteristics could make the matured pathway educational and very pleasant to our community.
Motion to adjourn Kim Bunge, 2nd Nancy Rood Motion passed unanimously and the Commission adjourned at 8:10 PM.
April 24, 2008 Meeting Minutes
The Whitehouse Tree Commission meeting was called to order by Chairperson Sheri Luedtke at 7:15 p.m., after all present posed for a photograph to commemorate our Tree City USA Award. Members present: Sheri Luedtke, Kim Bunge, Veronica Judy Kethel, Nancy Rood, Elliot Tramer, Janet Traub, Village Administrator Dennis Recker, Staff Representative James Forrest and Council Representative Michelle Tippie.
The Commission approved the minutes of the March 27, 2008 meeting. Motion: Dennis Recker. 2nd: Kim Bunge. Approval: Unanimous.
Tree City USA Awards Day event report: The event took place at Wapakoneta April 16. We were the only first-year recipient. Four Commission members attended. We were given a plaque, Tree City USA flag, road signs, and a lapel pin. The plaque will be presented to the Village Mayor and Council at their meeting on May 6, with Commission members invited to attend. Sheri will make the presentation. Publicity for our award will include articles in the Key prepared by Judy and another by Karen Berger for the Mirror. Davey Tree Service donated a cherry tree in recognition of our award; James has planted it along the rails to trails behind the ice cream store. The Commission discussed the possibility of hosting the award ceremony in the future. Since host cities are already lined up through 2013, 2014 is the soonest this could happen. A hall large enough to accommodate 250 with meal catering plus additional space for displays, etc., is required. One possibility is to partner with Waterville and use the new St. Joseph's Church, assuming it will be completed and available at that time. Other options were discussed.
Arbor Day Final Planning: Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday April 25 at 2:00 p.m. An autumn blaze maple will be planted in memory of former Commission member Harry Behrendt. Kim will speak about Harry at the planting and a proclamation from the Mayor will be read. Nancy will provide tents in case of rain. Bittersweet Farms will bring people to help plant the tree. Arbor Day was advertised on paper shopping bags used for groceries at Miller's. The bags were decorated by Kindergarten and 1st grade students at the Whitehouse Primary School; thanks to teacher Heidi Mooney for her cooperation.
Cherry Fest 2008: The Cherry Fest will be held on June 13 and 14. The Tree Commission will have a booth; Nancy will provide tents and tables. Brochures will be provided to the public containing information on tree planting and proper care, lists of desirable trees, etc. Information on our Tree City USA award, what it means to the community, etc., will also be provided. The Tree City USA flag will be used as a backdrop to attract people to our booth. If a tree is donated, we will raffle it off. Judy will ask Tom Wardell for a tree donation, and will handle publicity for the event. Michelle will check to see if a drum for raffle tickets will be available during the Fest. Discussion ensued on whether the Commission would also participate in the parade, and whether the raffle tree should be transported in the parade. James will investigate how best to transport the tree and Tree City USA flag in the parade. A schedule for staffing the booth is needed. Dennis will investigate procedures for reserving a booth, determine what materials are provided vs. what we need to provide ourselves, and logistics for participating in the parade.
Whitehouse Tree Survey: Owens CC student Macon Mauchmar went out with Stephanie Miller to begin his part of the tree survey. He will focus on the village park as his school project, to be completed by August 2008. His final product will be on paper, not computerized. A spreadsheet format needs to be established for storing the survey data electronically. Motion: Judy moved to appoint Macon Mauchmar an ex-officio member of the Tree Commission. 2nd: Elliot. Passed unanimously.
Growth Award: This is separate from the Tree City USA Award, and is given for special projects that show a community's commitment to enhancing environmental quality. Qualifying projects range widely and could involve tree plantings, environmental educational initiatives, etc. Various projects that might qualify for a Growth Award were discussed, including matching funds from an ODOT Gateway Grant (for plantings along state highways such as route 64). Dennis will research available grants for suitable projects.
Items for future consideration: (1) Signage: This will gain increasing importance as we plant more dedicated trees, etc. A uniform style of signage might be desirable. Various issues: Expense, vandalism, durability, etc. need to be given careful consideration. (2) Chinquapin oaks: Janet noted that chinquapin oaks grow near the quarry in rocky soil unsuitable for many other trees, and suggested a project to collect acorns and germinate them in various locations. To be reconsidered in fall. (3) Zoo tour: A tour of the trees on the grounds of the Toledo Zoo might be a useful and enjoyable agenda for a future meeting. (4) St. Charles MO brochure: Elliot gave Sheri a tree tour brochure from St. Charles County, MO, as a source of ideas for future educational efforts by the Commission.
Motion to adjourn: Janet; 2nd Judy. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
May 22, 2008 Meeting Minutes