HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 13, 2026 Tree Board Minutes from the
Jeffersonville Tree Board
January 13, 2026
In attendance: Jeff Cover, Carol Dunn, Bob Hill, Kelli Jones, Chloe Motley, Amber Powell,
Chad Reischl, Derrick Wiest.
Not in attendance: Eric Bitner, Youth Advisor (vacant)
The meeting of the Jeffersonville Tree Board was called to order by Jeff Cover at 4:02 pm
on December 8, 2025 in the Planning/Building/Parks conference room at the Jeffersonville
City Hall
There were no adjustments to the agenda nor revisions to the minutes from December
presented. The agenda and Minutes were approved by general assent.
Following approvals, Jeff led the Board in a brain storming session on what the tree board
wishes to accomplish in 2026. Many ideas were presented and noted on poster paper at the
front of the room. Jeff indicated that he would collate all these ideas and present them back
to the board at the next meeting.
Unfinished business:
There was no unfinished business to discuss.
Committee reports:
Marketing/communications:
Jeff asked for an update on setting up a memorial tree program. Amber and Derrick
indicated that Paul Northam (Director of Parks) was ok if the Tree Board wanted to take
over the program from parks. The Board would need to coordinate tree planting locations
with the parks team. After some discussion, Carol motioned that the marketing committee
work out the specific details and present them to the Board by the March meeting. The
motion was seconded by Bob, and passed unanimously.
Funding committee:
Jeff asked Chad to report on the non-reverting fund. Chad indicated that the fund has been
authorized, but not physically created since there is no money assigned to it yet. He
indicated that he intends to move $2,000 from his fee-in-lieu of landscaping fund to the new
Tree Board non-reverting fund. The initial reading of the transfer will take place at the
council meeting on Jan 20 and be approved at the following council meeting in February. At
that time the account will be active. Chad noted that the money will be appropriated into two
line items, $500 for services and $1500 for supplies.
Jeff asked if the fund could receive donations now. Chad indicated that yes, people could
make out checks to the City of Jeffersonville with a memo noting the Tree Board and that he
could have them added to our account. Amber said that she can process credit cards so
she could work on getting that set up.
Jeff moved on to the grant funded tree project and wanted to chat about setting spring dates
for planting. Chad indicated that the processing of grants at the state level was running
behind and that he cannot proceed with plans at this time. The planting may have to be
pushed back to the fall and/or next spring. Once he gets the official ok from the DNR, he will
let folks know.
Jeff then turned to Carol and asked her to chat about the Duke grant we are pursuing for
the Tree Steward Training in March. Carol indicated that New Albany said that they could
pay for all the necessary materials for the training, but that if we wanted to apply for the
grant we could. Prior to the meeting the committee chatted about the grant and decided that
it might make sense to hold off on asking for funds for another project (since this one seems
to be fully funded). The Board seemed to concur and suggested that maybe we could use a
Duke grant to fund an Arbor Day event (necessary for Tree City status). The funding
committee agreed to take a closer look at the grant opportunity and see what might make
sense.
While at it, Carol brought up a grant program from the Environmental Resilience Institute at
IU. The program would provide us with a student staff person for specific purposes relating
to the Tree Board's activities. Unfortunately the grant deadline was only a week or so out,
so a decision would have to be made immediately. After some discussion it was decided
that the Board should pocket this opportunity and revisit it in September or October as we
start to think about 2027.
Executive Committee:
Jeff thanked Bob for his excellent newspaper article about the Steamboat Museum Tree
Planting and wondered if there had been any response. Neither he nor Chad had gotten
any response.
Education/Programming/Tree Planting Committee:
Carol confirmed that the Tree Steward class would be happening March 30 & 31 from 9-
3pm at the New Albany YMCA. The board should think about who wants to attend. We
should also think about inviting someone from the Library and Steamboat Museum to
attend.
New Business:
Chad indicated that he spoke with Amy Semones and she indicated that she would try and
come to our March Meeting to say hello. Jeff indicated that the president of the New Albany
Tree Board will likely drop in as well to talk about what his organization does.
Informal discussion/public comment
There was no additional discussion or public comment.
With that Jeff called to adjourn the meeting. It was adjourned by common consent at
5:04pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chad Reischl
Secretary,
Jeffersonville Tree Board.
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