Columbus, Georgia

MINUTES OF MEETING



OF THE TREE BOARD



FEBRUARY 4, 2004



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

Georgia, to order at 12:15 p.m. Tree Board members present were Dr. George

Stanton, Gloria Weston-Smart, Gloria Battle, Milton Anthony, Hal Averette and

Susan Kleto. Ex-officio member Scott Jones was also present. The six members

of the Tree Board represented a quorum. The minutes from the September 3,

2003, meeting were read and approved by a unanimous vote.



Old Business: In lieu of a November meeting, Tree Board members attended the

Georgia Urban Forest Council meeting held in Columbus on November 4-5, 2003.



New Business:



a. Election of Officers: George Stanton reported that four Tree Board

vacancies have occurred due to the expiration of the terms on December 31, 2003

of Ms. Gloria Battle, Mrs. Carleton Franklin, Dr. Elizabeth Dreelin, and Ms.

Andrea Richardson. All but Mrs. Carlton Franklin have agreed to serve another

term. However, the City Council has not approved their reappointment as of

this date. For this reason, the election of officers was tabled until the next

meeting.



Gloria Weston-Smart proposed Mrs. Mildred Wynne as a member of the Tree Board

to fill the vacancy left by Mrs. Carlton Franklin. Mrs. Wynne is a retired

schoolteacher. She volunteers at the 4th Street Baptist Church and the

RiverCenter and is married with four adult children. The Board agreed

unanimously to forward Mrs. Wynne?s name to the City Council.



b. 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 seconded and unanimously approved.



c. Arbor Day: Gloria Weston-Smart gave a report on the upcoming Arbor

Day festivities. The program will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2004, at

the Band Shelter in LakeBottom Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Mayor

Poydasheff will read the official Arbor Day Proclamation. Singing and Choral

groups from local schools have been invited to participate. The Arbor Day

Poster Contest winners will be announced. A 3? live oak will be dedicated as

the UNITY TREE in memory of Kenneth Walker. The Downtown Rotary Club will

dedicate the Rotary Oak Grove. When planting is completed in 2005, the Rotary

Club will have donated 200 trees to the City to be planted in LakeBottom Park.

Multiple educational and craft activities related to trees will be sponsored by

CSU and Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center. Area environmental

organizations will also set up informational displays. In the event of rain,

the ceremony will be held in the auditorium at St. Elmo School.



d. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 21,

2004 at 12:00 noon in the CCG Public Services Conference Room.



Announcements: Ms. Andrea Richardson was the only member not present with an

excused absence. Susan Kleto reminded the members that Joanna Wilkins had had

her baby, a daughter. It was unanimously decided to send a card of

congratulations from the Tree Board. The members present donated the funds to

cover the card and postage. Gloria Weston-Smart reminded all members to

remember their publicity commitments for Arbor Day.



The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m. In the absence of Secretary Kenneth

Henson, Susan Kleto served as Recording Secretary.





_______________________________________

SUSAN B. KLETO







_______________________________________

DR. GEORGE STANTON

Chairman