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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2025 Tree Board Minutes from the Jeffersonville Tree Board November 18, 2025 In attendance: Eric Bitner, Jeff Cover, Carol Dunn, Kelli Jones, Bob Hill, Chloe Motley, Paul Reid, Chad Reischl, Derrick Wiest. Not in attendance:,; Amber Powell, Youth Advisor (vacant) The meeting of the Jeffersonville Tree Board was called to order by Jeff Cover at 4:02 pm on November 18, 2025 in the Planning/Building/Parks conference room at the Jeffersonville City Hall There were no adjustments to the agenda and the Minutes from the October were approved by general assent. Unfinished business: There was no unfinished business, so the board moved directly to New Business New Business: Chad indicated that the Howard Steamboat Museum applied to the Jeffersonville Urban Enterprise Authority (of which he is the executive director) for funding for 4 trees and several shrubs for their campus. The trees and shrubs would replace a couple of large trees that had recently been cut down. The Board turned down the request partially because some members of the board thought this should go before the "new Tree Board." Chad indicated to them that the Board didn't have any funds at this time, but would "at the least" bring it up. Fully realizing that the Board does not have the funds at this time, Chad still wanted to bring the proposal forward to have a discussion about how the board might handle such a request in the future. After some discussion, much of it centered on asking Council for funding and creating a pool of volunteers, Chad indicated that he could pay for the trees from his Planning and Zoning office budget, but he'd appreciate help in planting them. Further discussion led to a motion by Bob Hill to instruct Chad to purchase the trees and board members would help plant them. The motion was seconded by Kelly Jones. A planting date was set for Saturday Dec. 6th at 11am, and the motion carried unanimously. Kelly indicated that she might be able to get a few teens from the HS to help out, and it was also suggested that perhaps board members of the Museum should be asked about volunteering. Chad indicated that he'd contact the museum to get this all squared away. Committee reports: Education/Programming/Tree Planting Committee: Carol reported that a couple of board members joined in on a virtual call with folks from New Albany and the DNR regarding the Tree Stewards program. While a date hasn't been set, we are looking at the week of March 30 at Griffin Park in New Albany. The group decided that we wanted to provide lunch for participants and Carol has proactively reached out to Duke Energy about sponsoring lunch for the program. The committee will continue to update the group as necessary. Chad reported that the tree planting at the library had been a success. We had over 25 students participate in planting 10 trees. Jeff indicated that the kids really enjoyed themselves and learned a lot. He thanked Eric and Derek for being there to lead groups of kids. Eric Bitner mentioned that the DNR is having its annual Urban Forestry conference on December 9 & 10. He and Chad will be in attendance. He mentioned that there may still be space if others are interested in attending. Carol mentioned that she is investigating a potential program of the IU Environmental Resilience Institute that may be of interest to us. The purpose of the program is to develop new programming and support for Indiana tree boards. She communicated briefly with Dr. Sarah Mincey, who is leading the program, and indicated that we may be interested in being included once they are up and running. Eric mentioned that Sarah Mincey who runs the IUERI will be at the Urban Forestry Conference, and that he and Chad could touch base with her there. Marketing/communications: Amber was not in attendance to give a report out, but Jeff reiterated their idea of setting up a memorial tree program to help bring in needed funds. Jeff also asked about the non- reverting fund. This was passed by council. Chad indicated that from his conversations with finance department, it was going to be best/easiest to set this up starting in the new year. 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 the City was awarded funds from the DNR for removal of pears and tree-of-heaven from Chapel Lake Park and Allison Brook Park. The grant is for $10,000 and will need to be matched 100% through cash and in kind donation of labor. Chad intends to tackle Chapel Lake Park in the spring and Allison Brook in the fall (as the tree-of-heaven need to be treated before removal and treatment is best in the summer). Bob was glad to hear this as he was hoping to write an article about pear trees in one of his next columns — probably January (his December column would be about our recent tree planting). 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: There was nothing to report from the executive committee, although Jeff Cover thanked Chad for getting a blurb about the Tree Board in the Fall Edition of Jeffersonville's Progress Magazine Informal discussion/public comment Eric wanted to note that he and Chad would be in Bloomington for the Urban Forestry Conference the day of the next meeting, so we might want to pick another day to meet. After a certain amount of discussion the Board elected to meet Monday the 8th of December at 4pm. Chad confirmed that the room was available. With that Jeff called to adjourn the meeting. It was adjourned by common consent at 4:43pm. Respectfully Submitted, Chad Reischl Secretary, Jeffersonville Tree Board.