A proposal introduced by the city planner, John Nisley, highlighted an innovative project to convert dead Ash trees into art sculptures by painting or carving them. This initiative aims to foster community engagement, with participation from local neighborhoods and businesses. Concerns were voiced about the financial implications, leading to clarifications that the city would not be responsible for tree limb removal costs. Instead, sponsorships or volunteer contributions from local tree trimming companies would be sought. The project’s logistics were also examined, including the duration of the artwork’s display, which would be limited to one year, after which the art would need to be removed due to disposal requirements involving landfill services.

Further, the commission discussed artistic oversight, particularly how to manage potentially offensive artwork while maintaining creative freedom. Guidelines were acknowledged as necessary, with reference to past projects, such as fire hydrant painting, to develop suitable standards. The commission committed to researching existing guidelines to address these concerns. John reassured that removing the artwork after a year would not be problematic since the city would not incur removal costs.

In addition to the art project, the meeting included updates from various departments. Joey Shugal of the Park and Recreation Department reported on the tree inventory, noting that 63 trees had been planted across ten parks. However, 46 trees, primarily Ash, had to be removed. The removal process involved department staff, with the street department scheduled for subsequent stump grinding. Maintenance crews are set to trim trees during the fall and winter to mitigate risks posed by tree limbs to mowing operations.

The commission reviewed a draft update of the disease tree removal program, which included adjustments to reimbursement costs. For Boulevard tree removals, the reimbursement increased from $75 to up to $300 per tree for the first half of the year, with the possibility of homeowners submitting multiple requests if funds remained available after July 1. Similarly, non-Boulevard tree removal reimbursements increased from a maximum of $50 to $100 per tree. These adjustments aim to maximize available funds and meet anticipated demand from property owners. Discussions acknowledged that the $10,000 allocated for tree replanting would be separate from the $100,000 designated for removals, with suggestions that future budgets might need to increase due to the prolonged nature of the issue.

The meeting also covered procedural topics, including the election of officers for 2025. Greg was nominated and accepted the position of chair, while Paul England was nominated and approved as vice chair. Acknowledgment of Tom Romain’s service to the commission over seven and a half years concluded the meeting, with a presentation of a recognition award and expressions of gratitude from various members. The next meeting was announced for January 2, 2025.