HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 14, 2025 Tree Board Minutes from the
Jeffersonville Tree Board
October 14, 2025
In attendance: Jeff Cover, Carol Dunn, Kelli Jones, Bob Hill, Amber Powell, Paul Reid, Chad
Reischl, Derrick Wiest,
Not in attendance: Eric Bitner, Chloe Motley; Youth Advisor (vacant)
The meeting of the Jeffersonville Tree Board was called to order by Jeff Cover at 4:02 pm
on October 14, 2025 in the Planning/Building/Parks conference room at the Jeffersonville
City Hall
The agenda was approved by assent. Minutes from September 9 were also approved as
written by general assent.
Unfinished business:
Chad has set a date (November 1st, 10am-noon) for the tree planting at the Jeffersonville
Township Public Library with the Jeffersonville High School Eco Club. 8 trees are to be
planted. He said that it would be great if a few tree board members could be present to
assist/supervise. Bob said that he'd work on press for the event.
Committee reports:
Marketing/communications:
Kelli ordered and distributed t-shirts to any one who got her size information. Chad followed
up with a report on the Steamboat Nights outreach table. We were only at the event Friday
night, but made contacts with over 110 people. 37 of which made our pine cone bird
feeders. 42 people entered to win one of the three trees that were donated. Chad drew
names from the jars and distributed the trees to the winners. Jeff has agreed to cover the
setup fee, but then they'd be about $20 each for the Board members.
Chad indicated, that he did not have any website updates, but did provide an update on his
tree-giveaway at the Jeff Farmers Market where Trees for Southern Indiana gave out 240
tree seedlings.
Amber indicated that she could help supply and fund a table at the upcoming Fright Fair in
NoCo on Oct. 25. If the Board wanted to do something similar to their table at Steamboat
Nights. The board generally felt that there wasn't enough time to put this together nor much
to talk about at this time so we are going to pass on the event this year, we could consider
doing something next year though.
Funding committee:
Chad indicated that City Council unanimously approved the non-reverting fund ordinance on
their first and second reading the prior week. Jeff and Chad were at the meeting to speak
on behalf of the Tree Board. The final reading will take place on the 20tt'. This will give us a
place to hold funds for the Board's use. Chad indicated that he would likely place some fee-
in-lieu money in the account in the near future. A question was raised about the deductibility
4 of funds given to the tree board. Chad was pretty sure that was the case, but would check.
Amber said that she could type up a sheet about donations for fundraising purposes.
Jeff asked Chad to report out on the CUFA grant from the DNR. Chad and Carol sat down
after our last meeting to discuss the grant and decided that made sense to apply for a
project to remove and replace a number of invasive trees from our parks. Chad indicated
that he had also discussed the project with Eric Bitner who gave him some good advice on
tree removal. Chad will continue developing the grant application which is due October 22.
When asked about "what the tree board will need to do to help?," Chad said that it was his
intent that the Board would be influential in organizing the tree plantings that would result
from the grant.
Executive Committee:
Bob reported back on his newspaper article that ran in the paper. He said that he got 6 or 7
responses from the article and is following up on them. He wanted the board to think about
other topics that he might write about. With the upcoming tree planting with Jeff High
students, Kelli, thought there might be a way to tying tree planting to future generation's
enjoyment and wellbeing.
Education/Programming/Tree Planting Committee:
Carol reported that we are working on co-hosting the DNR's Tree Stewards program next
spring with the City of New Albany. They are leading the charge on this, but we will
participate and assist as necessary. She, Chad and Eric will meet with the planning
committee on November 4. They'll keep us posted on the details.
New Business:
Jeff asked if there was any other new business, but seeing none, reminded everyone that
the next meeting will be November 18th (due to Veteran's Day) and called to adjourn the
meeting. It was adjourned by common consent at 5:02pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chad Reischl
Secretary,
Jeffersonville Tree Board.
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