MEMBERS ABSENT: Wayne Pope.

STAFF PRESENT: Bob Graeser.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Jack Hepler, Jean Franz, Alan Miller

MEETING MINUTES
Don Ruffner made a motion to approve the February, 7 2008 meeting minutes as submitted, and Brad Boehringer seconded the motion.

NEW BUSINESS

Bob Graeser welcomed the new members as well as the attending visitors.
The first order of business was an e mail that was passed out from Wendi Van Buren. The e mail was informing the committee that Jeremy Drake of the city of Troy has invited southwest tree committees to an EAB monitoring program on Tuesday, April 1st at 10:00. Bob Graeser said that he was going to attend and would like others to join him if possible.

Bob Graeser also opened the discussion about the trees on Canal Place Parking lot, these are the trees that are within the right of way, and are affecting the merchants on the rear of their establishments of Main Street. Bob asked all the present members to evaluate the conditions that the trees present and communicate with him on their findings regarding this matter. The City will form a letter to the merchants based on the comments of the tree committee.

ITEM NO. 1 HAZARD TREE

Bob Graeser showed the committee the work that was completed for the "Hazard Tree" evaluation performed in February. This evaluation isn't complete, and will resume after the foliage returns.

ITEM NO. 2 ARBOR DAY CEREMONIES.

Melissa Randles told the committee about her conversation with Ed McCord the principal of Piqua Junior High. Ed explained to Melissa that the date for the Arbor Day ceremonies couldn't be a worse time for them. We want the children to be involved in the Urban Forestry Program and Arbor Day we will have a different member try and persuade him, and maybe work out some alternatives.

Andy Burner, mentioned, in a private meeting with Bob Graeser that he would like to have the Renew Piqua kick-off celebration at the same time. We will work out the necessary arrangements to make sure the day is a success.

ITEM NO 3 SPRING PLANTING

The Shawnee neighborhood committee is a assisting with the volunteer efforts of finding recipients for trees in their area. The committee invited Jean Frantz to attend the meeting because of her experience. Jean was a driving force in providing trees for our last planting in the South view area last fall. Jean will be leading the charge in helping the committee to search for more locations throughout the city; the date for the next planting is April, 5th.

Brad Boehringer moved to adjourn the meeting and Donald Ruffner seconded the motion.

____________________________________
Wayne Pope, Vice Chairman

Passed:_____________________________

Attest:_____________________________
Bob Graeser
Staff Secretary