Tree Advisory Board

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, February 2, 2021 3:30 PM City Council Chambers Tree Advisory Board Commission Members Rita Renwick Karen Fonte Willie Jaeger Betsy Satcher Mary Schoenheider Ralph Schultz Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - Final February 2, 2021 The Governor’s Office and the Illinois Department of Public Health has activated a Tier 1 mitigation plan for Region 7 (Will and Kankakee Counties). Tier 1 limits in-person meetings to 25 people or 25% of overall room capacity (whichever is less). Council Chambers allows for 10 members of the public while adhering to social distancing guidelines. During meetings, any member of the public physically present in the Council Chambers in excess of the limit will be asked to wait in another room with live feed to the meeting until the Citizens To Be Heard on Agenda Items section or Public Comments section of the meeting has commenced. Speakers will be rotated into Council Chambers to allow everyone an opportunity to speak. Pursuant to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s Guidelines, it is recommended that any individual appearing in-person wear a face-covering to cover their nose and mouth. Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. 1. ROLL CALL Present Rita Renwick, Karen Fonte, Willie Jaeger and Betsy Satcher Absent Mary Schoenheider and Ralph Schultz ALSO PRESENT: Jim Teiber - City of Joliet Arborist 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to Approve the November 10, 2020 Tree Advisory Board Minutes was made by Karen Fonte, seconded by Betsy Satcher. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Renwick, Fonte, Jaeger and Satcher Absent: Schoenheider and Schultz Tree Advisory Minutes - Nov. 10, 2020 TMP-0873 Attachments: Tree Advisory Board Minutes - Nov 10, 2020 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov "Public Comments" web page. 4. ARBORIST REPORT Teiber reported that trees from last year’s budget should be planted in 2021. There may be some funding for cycling pruning. A maintenance contract for public areas will be awarded this year. Two grants have been awarded to the City - a $20,000 USDA Urban Forestry Grant and a $25,000 CN/America in Bloom Grant. 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Motion to nominate Renwick as Chair of the Tree Advisory Board was made by Karen Fonte, seconded by Willamena Jaeger. Motion carried by the following votes: Aye: Renwick, Fonte, Jaeger and Satcher Absent: Schoenheider and Schultz Page 1 of 2 Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minutes - Final February 2, 2021 6. NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION a. Goals for 2021 Completion of Tree Preservation Ordinance, Arboricultural Manual, Urban Forestry Management Plan, Educational Outreach b. Tree Preservation Ordinance Renwick, Fonte and Committee Chair Shultz will work to bring this to completion for approval by Council. c. Grants and American in Bloom 2021 The C/N America in Bloom Grant funds creation of pollinator/milkweed planting beds and a "Food Forest" area at the Broadway Greenway and Bicentennial Park. We will need to plan for AIB judging and a celebratory event by the end of 2021. The USDA Urban Forestry Grant administered by the Morton Arboretum will involve a contract for tree inventory and management plan. d. Arbor Day Plans Woodland School will again participate with cooperation of Principal, Kim Gordon. Art teacher, Rene Fitz-Henley will work with students on a virtual poster contest. Tree saplings are planned to be distributed-possibly to students and homeowners’ associations e. Board Member Proposal Dr. William Bromer's name has been submitted to the Mayor as a recommended Tree Board Member (replacing Jeanne Phelan who moved) and is awaiting approval. 7. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments. NOTE: There is a new temporary procedure for public speaking. Details can be found on the Joliet.gov "Public Comments" web page. This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding items listed on the agenda, except for items listed under Public Hearing. Anyone speaking on an agenda item is entitled to speak for a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff and the Tree Advisory Board do not generally respond to public comments. Please note speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the Tree Advisory Board shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. 8. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Karen Fonte, seconded by Betsy Satcher, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Renwick, Fonte, Jaeger and Satcher Absent: Schoenheider and Schultz This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 2 of 2