East Central Reporter

City of Olney Tree Board met Feb. 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

AGENDA #1 “CALL TO ORDER” The meeting of the Tree Board was called to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 S. Whittle Ave., Olney, Illinois, by Kelsie Sterchi.

AGENDA #2 “ROLL CALL” The following Tree Board members were present: Natalie Shryock, Sharon Behnke, Kelsie Sterchi, and Michaela Dowty. Amanda Thomann and Chris Simpson were absent.

AGENDA #3 “ELECT A CHAIRPERSON” Mrs. Sterchi moved to elect Natalie Shryock as Chairperson of the Tree Board, seconded by Mrs. Behnke. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

It was noted that there was still one vacancy on the Tree Board following Jan McKinney’s resignation.

AGENDA #4 “APPROVE MINUTES FROM MARCH 21, 2023” Mrs. Sterchi moved to approve the minutes from March 21, 2023, seconded by Mrs. Behnke. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #5 “PUBLIC COMMENTS/PRESENTATIONS” No one from the public was present.

AGENDA #6 “UPDATE/POSSIBLE ACTION: ARBOR DAY PLANS AND/OR USE OF GRANT FUNDS” Mrs. Sterchi had applied for a $500.00 Arbor Day Grant through Ameren, but no word had yet been received as to whether or not that had been approved. If approved, the Board seemed in favor of conducting the same type of Arbor Day plans as in recent years. This would include providing local 4th graders with white pine seedlings and offering a tree demonstration.

Mrs. Sterchi had also applied for, and received, a $2,500.00 Right Tree, Right Place Grant from Ameren. For the past couple of years, the Board had given some trees to the Park Department, but had also offered a fair amount of trees for adoption by residents.

Mrs. Sterchi had been in touch with the Park Department Supervisor, and he indicated that he would be glad to receive any trees that could be provided. He expected the need to remove approximately 30 trees from public properties this year. He would prefer Oaks and Hickories.

Mrs. Behnke felt that the Park Department should utilize all of the grant funds for this year. She felt that the Board had been generous to the public, but recent tree plantings in the parks had not been successful; mainly due to how small they were when planted.

Mrs. Behnke moved to utilize the $2,500.00 Right Tree, Right Place Grant funds towards the purchase of trees for public property, with trees planted at least 7-gallon or larger, seconded by Ms. Dowty. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

The Board felt it would be easiest for the Park Department Supervisor to pick out the trees he wanted, and the invoice would be paid out of grant funds. The Board would also be willing to assist with tree planting, if desired.

If an Arbor Day Grant was received, Ms. Shryock moved to utilize those funds for providing white tree seedlings to local 4th graders and to provide a tree planting demonstration, seconded by Ms. Dowty. A majority affirmative voice vote was received.

AGENDA #7 “GENERAL DISCUSSION” Mrs. Sterchi told the Board that she would be in contact some time before Arbor Day to schedule a proclamation signing with the Mayor.

Mrs. Sterchi had also received word that the City’s application for another Tree City USA designation and Growth Award had been approved at the State level and had now moved on for approval by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Ms. Shryock was interested in exploring youth programs. The Board could work with the Park Department on implementation and location. She was also interested in additional grants, if grant requirements were not too complex.

AGENDA #8 “SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING DATE” The next meeting of the Tree Board would be scheduled at a later time.

AGENDA #9 “ADJOURN” Mrs. Sterchi moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Behnke. A majority affirmative voice vote was received. The Tree Board meeting adjourned at 6:17 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/olneynew/Tree%20Board%2002292024.pdf