Columbus, Georgia

Minutes Of Meeting



Of the Tree Board



April 21, 2004



Chairman George Stanton called the meting of the Tree Board of Columbus,

Georgia, to order at 12:12 p.m. Tree Board members present were Dr. George

Stanton, Gloria Weston-Smart, Mildred Wynn, Hal Averette, Andrea Richardson and

Susan Kleto. Ex-offcio member Scott Jones was also present. Gloria Battle and

Milton Anthony had excused absences. The six members of the Tree Board

represented a quorum. The minutes from the February 4, 2004, meting were read

and approved by a unanimous vote.



Gloria Weston-Smart introduced new Tree Board member, Mildred Wynn, to the

other board members.



Old Business: The City Arbor Day Celebration was held Saturday, February

21, 2004 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Lake Bottom Park. Gloria Weston-Smart

gave a detailed report of the ceremony, ceremony participants, and activities.

A 3? live oak was planted as the ?Unity Tree? in memory of Kenneth Walker. The

Downtown Rotary Club dedicated the Rotary Oak Grove. The Downtown Rotary Club

will finance the planting of 200 trees over a 4-year period in the park to help

replace the aging canopy tree. Kendrick High School and Allen Elementary School

students made choral presentations. KCBC Commissioner Bill Consoletti Served as

the Master of Ceremonies. Dr. George Stanton and Steve Smith also assisted with

the program. Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center employees and CSU

students led program participants in a variety of educational activities. The

Urban Forestry and Beautification Division of the Columbus Consolidated

Government gave rides in their bucket trucks so everyone could get a birds eye

view of the surrounding Trees. All participants had a wonderful time. The

Recommendation was made that the Tree Board Sponsor celebration such as this

next year.



New Business





Election of Officers: Dr. George Stanton explained that it was time to elect a

President, Vice President, and Secretary. Hal Averett motioned that the current

officers be re-elected to serve another term. The motion was unanimously

approved.



a. Master Street Tree Plan: Scott Jones gave an overview of the process used to

develop the program for the Master Street Tree Plan. The motion was made to

submit the plan with recommendations to the City Council with corrections to

spelling and after the proposal is reconciled to the tree ordinance. The motion

was second and unanimously approved.



Page 2: Tree Board Minutes 4/21/2004

b. Tree Planting 2004 Update: Scott Jones reported the City had planted 827

trees this past planting season. Susan Kleto reported that the tree Columbus

had planted or provided for planting approximately 936 trees during the

2003-2004 planting season.



c. Question and Comments from the board: Hal Averette suggested a tree planting

be planned for the Georgia Tourist Information and Welcome Center on Williams

Road for next winter. Gloria Weston-Smart will begin the groundwork by

contacting the GADOT. She will provide a report at the next year meeting.



Susan Kleto gave a report the trees Columbus/Columbus Consolidated Government

project to improve Veteran Pkwy. The Project, if funded by special

Transportation Enhancement funds, will plant trees and facilitate the movement

of overhead power lines to the backside of the sidewalk. Susan will bring a

conceptual plan of the project to the meeting.



Hal Averette asked if a plan existed to plant trees in the cemeteries? Scott

Jones explained the City?s program for trying to care for and plant trees in

the cemeteries.



Andrea Richardson advised the group she had completed the trees inventory in

the Downtown Historic District. Scott Jones stated the City is steadily working

on the list of trees needing pruning or removal in the inventory area.



Susan Kleto handed out fliers and invented everyone to attend the trees

Columbus seminar featuring Vince Dooley on April 28, 2004, in the Columbus

Museum?s Patrick Theater. Mr. Dooley will speak on the importance of trees and

green space in the urban environment.





d. Next meeting: The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 at

12:00 noon in the CCG. Public Services Conference Room.



The meeting was adjourned at 12:52 p.m. In absence of Secretary Kenneth Henson,

Susan Kleto served as Recording Secretary.





__________________________

Susan B. Kleto



__________________________

Dr. George Stanton