MEMBERS ABSENT: Rosemary Howell

STAFF PRESENT: Bob Graeser.

MEETING MINUTES

Jack Hepler made a motion to approve the January 3, 2007 meeting minutes as submitted, Wayne Pope and seconded the motion.

ITEM NO. 1 Arbor Day

Bob Graeser opened the meeting by stating the need to check with the superintendent of Piqua City Schools about where we need to have the tree planting. Melissa Randles reviewed the location at Bennett Middle School and found it to be inadequate, because of the possibility of overcrowding the current landscaping. The committee thought it would be best to check with Rick Haines to see what would be the best place within the district. Bob Graeser said he would call Rick and check with him before the next meeting.

ITEM NO.2 Hazard Tree

Bob Graeser went out with Wendy Van Buren of the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division on Friday, January 25th, to work on the Hazard tree inventory. They were able to list sixty trees within the city. Bob said that he would complete the inventory in the spring and summer of this year. Bob said that he would distribute the list at the March 6th meeting. Bob showed Wendy Van Buren the Sycamore in the Hollow Park that was mentioned at a previous meeting. Wendy agreed that this is an established lean and didn't present a hazard.

ITEM NO.3 NICKLIN AVENUE

Bob Graeser discussed the work that will take place on Nicklin Avenue. The city would like to commission a landscape architect to design the boulevard on Nicklin Avenue. This work will affect several neighborhoods the city wanted to make sure that the plantings selected met specific design qualifications unique to the area. The architect selected will be responsible for design and meetings with the Tree Committee, neighborhood groups and City Council. The work will be performed by city staff and the city will be sending out a request for proposal within the next month for an architect.

ITEM NO.4 SPRING PLANTING

The committee decided to set the date for the spring planting for April 5th the first Saturday of the month. Melissa Randles the committee chairperson said that she would meet with the neighborhood committee of Shawnee to try and get some volunteers to go door to door. Bob Graeser said that would meet with all the volunteers to help them understand the city's specifications for the planting requirement.

The committee wanted to have the list of properties developed by the next meeting, so we could begin to assess the volunteer and planning process.

NEW BUSINESS

Bob Graeser was informed about the pear trees at the rear of Canel Place at the west side of the parking area. These trees are behind Susie's Big Dipper, and Second Story Frame Shop. Bob asked the Tree Committee to take a look at these trees to see if these trees could be successfully thinned to reduce the size of the trees. This process may have to be repeated within several years to maintain controlled growth.

Wayne Pope moved to adjourn the meeting and Don Ruffner seconded the motion.

____________________________________
Wayne Pope, Vice Chairman

Passed:_____________________________

Attest:_____________________________
Bob Graeser
Staff Secretary