Peoria Standard

The city of Peoria Urban Forestry Advisory Board met Sept. 6 to appoint new members.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the board:

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

OF THE CITY OF PEORIA

: URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY BOARD:

September 6, 2016

A Regular Meeting of the City of Peoria’s Urban Forestry Advisory Board convened at 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016, at the Lester D. Bergsten Operations & Maintenance Facility

located at 3505 N. Dries Lane, Peoria, Illinois.

CALL TO ORDER

Call to Order showed the following Urban Forestry Advisory Board Members in attendance:

Members Present: Chairman Sie Maroon, Board Member Aaron Coffeen, Board Member Ella

Maxwell, Board Member Amy McLaren, and Board Member Michael Wilkins. (5)

Members Absent: Board Member Jason Haupt, Board Member Jeff Hinchman, Board Member

Joseph Keck, Board Member Michael Price, and Board Member Richard Swigart. (5)

Others in attendance included Public Works Administrative Specialist Rebecca Alexander, Peter

Kobak and Anthony Corso (both from the City of Peoria Innovation Team). (3)

ANNOUNCEMENTS Peoria Public Works and the I-Team will launch the first ever CityFest on

October 22, 2016, 4-8p.m. on Adams Street (between Pecan and Persimmon Streets). This

event is free to all, and marks the conclusion of the City’s green infrastructure pilot project. It

honors the many citywide efforts focus on revitalizing Peoria.

This event is being held in conjunction with Limelight EventPlex/Working Man Productions, One

Water Peoria and WWCT FM & Media Partners.

PUBLIC COMMENT No one came forward to address the Board from the public.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting of August 2, 2016 were distributed prior to the meeting. The minutes

were approved by Administrative Specialist Rebecca Alexander, and seconded by Board Member

Ella Maxwell.

ITEM NO. 1 Introduction of Board Members and New Appointments

After talking briefly about the current status of appointed Board Members, all attendees introduced

themselves and their personal affiliation to the Board accordingly.

Sie Maroon is Chairman of this Board and Superintendent of Operations, which encompasses the

Streets/Sewers/ Urban Forestry and Fleet Divisions of Public Works. Rebecca Alexander serves

as Administrative support to the Board from the Public Works Streets/ Sewers and Urban Forestry

Division. Board Member Ella Maxwell is a certified arborist from Hoerr Nursey. Board Member

Michael Wilkins is an arborist as well, and has been with Precision Tree Service for more than

two decades. Board Member Aaron Coffeen is a newly appointed member who has expertise in

landscape architecture. He expressed interest in the Board upon establishing residency over three

years ago. Board Member Amy McLaren is a Peoria resident who started with the Board over ten

years ago when she was a master gardener.

Peter Kobak is the newest project Manager on the City of Peoria Innovation Team. Anthony Corso

is the I-Team Director, and has been working with the City of Peoria on solutions to the current

CSO problem and working to develop and execute an ordinance that would support the street

tree program.

After substantial discussion regarding attendance, a consensus was reached that the Board will

continue to meet on a monthly basis.

Since the last meeting, Board Member Aaron Coffeen has disclosed that he is unable to commit

to the Board due to other obligations. Currently, there are open seats for active members on this

Board.

ITEM NO. 2 Discussion of Landscape and Tree Ordinance

Anthony Corso discussed the possibility of a tree and shrub ordinance. Board Member Mike

Wilkins mentioned he would be in favor of one. The ordinance would educate the public about

the legal responsibility of trees on city and /or private property. The public will be made aware

of who is accountable for the decisions that impact the urban forestry. In an effort to gain support

from residents and business owners, the ordinance would stimulate awareness throughout the

community. This will provide regulations for tree planting and maintenance. An ordinance will

make policies easier to implement and enforce.

Anthony Corso mentioned that there is currently a budgeted line item in place with the City of

Peoria. Availability of an approved list for tree planting, and other methods of funding will be

discussed in greater detail.

NEW BUSINESS

Update of Boards and Commissions Information Directory

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Next Meeting

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Urban Forestry Advisory Board will be held

October 4, 2016.

Adjournment

There being no further discussion, Board Member Ella Maxwell moved to adjourn the Regular

Meeting of the Urban Forestry Advisory Board; seconded by Administrative Specialist Rebecca

Alexander.

Approved by via voice vote.

The Board meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

_________________________________

Chairman, Sie Maroon

Deputy Director/ Superintendent of Operations