WINDY HILLS TREE BOARD MINUTES October 3, 2019

PRESENT: Cheri Silvey-Slusher (Chair), Jodi Smiley, Jody Mudd, Erin Morris, Jim Ising
Carolyn Westfall (City Arborist).

Minutes of September 5 were approved.

FINANCIAL REPORT: (Did not note the amount in the account).

No Council Report.

ARBORIST REPORT: The mature trees in the city are under stress from the continued drought in
the area. Carolyn will send an email blast to Cheri to share with the City asking residents to
please water the mature trees.

PLAQUE UNDER EVERGREEN: Carolyn Westfall suggested that we expand the mulch area under
the evergreen to one foot beyond the current dripline and place the plaque at the edge of the
new mulch bed. The mulch bed can be moved out every 2 -3 years if necessary and the plaque
can be moved at that time as well, if necessary.

REQUEST FOR BIDS FOR TREE REMOVAL ON AMBRIDGE: Bids will be requested from the
following companies, Cornerstone, Bob Ray, and Greenhaven Tree care. Six (6) trees have been
identified from Carolyn’s evaluation of Ambridge. Cheri will request bids from the above 3
companies to remove each tree and stump, and also provide proof of liability insurance with
the bid. The current request is only for the tree removal and stump grinding, and not the
replacement of trees in those locations. Mike Hayman will be contacted to verify the correct
variety to be planted in each location so that they can be re-planted in the spring of 2020. It
was noted that the orders for the trees for replanting will need to be made in January of 2020
for a spring planting.

FREE TREE PROGRAM: Carolyn will suggest a tree list to be forwarded to the 22 people who
have requested the free trees. We will try to get responses from all 22 people of their species
choices so that that the orders for the free trees can be made in January of 2020 for a spring
planting.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, December 5 at Cheri’s.
Jodi Smiley

WINDY HILLS TREE BOARD MINUTES

June 6, 2019

Present:  Jim Ising, Erin Morris, Cheri Silvey-Slusher, Kate Greer

The April 11 minutes were approved

We still have a problem figuring out how much money we have in our account.  We think it is about $2,000, but Kate is going to talk to Sandy about a questionable amount.

Kate’s Report:  A resident called Kate with the news that she and her husband had cut down the tree on Indian Ridge that Steve Teaford reported to Kate.  Carolyn Westfall examined it and declared it dangerous.  Mayor Davis sent the resident a letter about her tree.   The letter explained to her that the City would replace her tree.  The resident is going to investigate what kind of tree she wants to plant and will get back to Kate.

Evaluation of Arbor Day:  The Board was pleased with the event, especially that two of the fruit tree winners were children.  Kate will deliver water bags to the five winners.

Unfinished Business:  Cheri will remind Caroline that she still needs to evaluate the trees the City planted on Ambridge.  Kate will remind Adam to prune the suckers on the trees.

Free Tree Offer in upcoming newsletter:  The first 15 homeowners who call Cheri and take advantage of the offer will get a canopy tree planted.  She will refer them to the list of approved trees in the Tree Board Ordinance on the City Web Site.  They are to pick 3 choices.  The Tree Board will try to get a financial deal with one of our three nurseries with whom we deal in the WHHAG program.  The trees will be planted later in the Fall.

Next meeting date:  September 5, at 7:00 p.m.

Submitted by Kate Greer

WINDY HILLS TREE BOARD MINUTES

 April 11, 2019

 Present:  Scott Breeland, Jim Ising, Erin Morris, Cheri Silvey-Slusher

Kate Greer (City Council), Caroline Westfall (Arborist)

Minutes of February 21, were approved.

Financial Report:  Two trees were purchased under the homeowners’ reimbursement program.  Delores Rogers finally got the tree she won at last year’s Arbor Day.

Kate reported that the Council was notified that the Arbor Day banners did not need to be replaced.  Cheri purchased nautical rope to replace the dilapidated ropes.  Cheri is going to have two signs made saying “Rescheduled” to attach to the existing signs for future rainouts.

Arborist report:  Caroline surveyed the trees on Rudy and decided everything was ok for now.  She is going to look at the Ambridge trees soon and will let Kate know what needs to be done.  Hopefully Adam Vogelsang will be able to take care of them.

New Business:  The Board decided to postpone Arbor Day until Tuesday, April 16, because of the ominous weather report.  We had to schedule it soon as Caroline had purchased the fruit trees already.  The event will be from 6:30-8:00.  Cheri has the cookies, water, and juice.  Jim will pick up ice.  We also have leftover crayons and coloring books.  Sandy will put out email and Reach Alert messages about the changes.

Kate is going to put something in the June newsletter that if anyone would like a canopy tree planted in their right-of-way, to contact Cheri.  The first 15 will get one.  They must select from our approved list.  The form will be as follows:

Name______

Address_____

Contact phone number______

Kate recommended a $15 donation be made to the Arbor Day Foundation.  The Board approved.

Date of next meeting:  June 6.

Submitted by Kate Greer

TREE BOARD MINUTES

February 21, 2019

Present:  Scott Breeland,   Erin Morris, Jodie Mudd, Cheri Silvey-Slusher, Jodi Smiley,

Kate Greer (Council)  Caroline Westfall (Arborist)

Cheri welcomed our new member Erin.

Financial Report:   $1,072.97 dispersed.  $285 to Jodi for water bags.

$300 for homeowners’ reimbursement

$487.97 to Plant Kingdom for Ambridge tree and

Replaced tree on Indian Ridge.

City Council Report:  Kate reported that Code Enforcer Steve Teaford would like to meet with us to discuss Tree Board Ordinances.  She also reported that she is now in charge of City Beautification and the maintenance of the Green.  We maintained our Tree City Status for this year.

Arbor Day:   Date:  April 14 from 2:00 to 4:00.  If weather is bad, it will be called off by Noon and rescheduled for the September Ice Cream Social.

Caroline will present a program on “The Urban Orchard.”  We will order 5 fruit trees for a demonstration and will find homes through a raffle and placement.  Caroline will try to get Andy Smart (Plant Kingdom) to participate.

Kate will get 2 tables from the Hardware Store.

We will serve water, juice, apples, and cookies.

We will give away seeds and leftover coloring books from last year.

We will get Adam to put up the banner.

There will be a drawing for 5 trees with water bags.

Work Projects: Caroline will evaluate the trees on Rudy that are potentially dangerous for trimming and removal.  She will also look at the trees the City planted on Ambridge  Some may need help or replacement.

The Board discussed ways to get more homeowners to opt for free trees.  It was suggested that since we had no luck with the people on Clerkenwell, we might write an article for the September newsletter offering them to the general Windy Hills population, on a limited basis.  We might also speak to the new developers of the Westport Road property to see if they would be interested.  This would have to be okayed by the Mayor.  Anything to prevent Bradford Pears.

Next meeting:  April 11, 2019 at Cheri Silvey-Slusher’s home.