[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6219790,"mediaKeyId","3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b","parentId",3620976,"title","Commission debates TCP planting logistics, watering letters and list access","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",426000,"endMs",738000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b&start=426&end=738","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b/thumbnail_426000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6219790/Ohio/Commission-debates-TCP-planting-logistics-watering-letters-and-list-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219790-dded563de5168e23504cb3d9ce69b30d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955838&Signature=TbIlA9uaimI~XYxbe~8iaJxQOVQJFBlhwT5h7b-dpGQjD~agetuKoppgNOjQf6kHvRzCNm0BmiHf3WhXIasscnOn~AVGO7UHD5Fh95dNWznBn8RPYpplUoXD4~OY8ra3K2IhDuzQOmqiyrz5uLaNkXfr9DylYrGPS87qLHAxkohTfkruVmGmdX7rbbIKQNwQXyMMgeqFUS6r00t4aTp6Ch5oIAI0usURwjSKcnlN48LWXHsGVVB2lAEEM1YxYv~40s5XrlClF3OMTD8ju7qULAP4Gq9JOqw9YgJPC23hz~OUtbHgbaXcwHTTv~m~VxQmKb5IxRg3Of-vhwUAsjUoyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Vernon, OH ","date","2025-06-02T17:05:10.24Z","article","Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission members spent a substantial portion of their meeting on implementation details for the TCP and citywide plantings — including when to send homeowner watering letters, how to share the planting request list, and how to coordinate volunteers and crews.

Commission discussion focused on operational clarity and managing expectations. One commissioner said they were holding off on sending standard watering letters until staff confirmed which TCP trees were actually installed: “So, yeah, if I could get an update or I'll wait till you tell me everything's done before I send out those watering letters so I don't get the comment that I don't have.” The commission agreed that sending letters before trees are in the ground would cause confusion.

Staff reported the applicant list is maintained in a shared Google Drive but several commissioners said they could not access it consistently. A staff member said, “It's just a Google Drive,” and commissioners asked staff to re-send the link and to circulate an updated list to the group. Members noted there are “like 40 something names in there right now,” and that those currently on the list would be eligible for next year’s planting cycle.

The group also discussed watering logistics for newly planted trees, including the city water truck and volunteer crews. Commissioners reiterated the usual practice: if a homeowner’s tree has a bag and is in the ground, the homeowner should fill the bag; if the tree isn’t in, they should expect it soon. The commission asked staff to coordinate calls with homeowners who previously indicated they will be out of town during planting windows.

Outreach materials: Commissioners reviewed a draft mailer that will include a QR code linking to the TCP sign-up form and recommended simplifying the content into bullet points and clear contact options (QR code, web page, engineering department phone number). They also asked staff to add verbiage that sets expectations for response timelines (for example, that contacts and visits typically occur in late summer or early fall) so residents do not expect immediate contact after submitting a request.

Next steps: Staff (Brian and Zane) will re-send the sign-up link, provide an updated list of applicants, confirm which addresses have trees or bags installed, and prepare a revised watering letter and web content for commission review at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Stream - City of Mount Vernon, Ohio","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners reviewed Tree City Program planting logistics and agreed not to send watering letters until staff confirms which TCP trees are installed.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio","taxId",71655,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219792,"Shade Tree Commission OKs asking council to consider federal forestry and private grants",832,785000,1617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b&start=785&end=1617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b/thumbnail_785000.jpg","/articles/6219792/Ohio/Shade-Tree-Commission-OKs-asking-council-to-consider-federal-forestry-and-private-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219792-d2c6e19c0dea3e512295bd14b764a64d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955838&Signature=ogDoQXbdxUEsbIvYGmXjW~YHqMCl8yLuImA1fsPP92kWgWGoqKBuI8xIJyhJAPajVIa9avj4CG1r4S~xcRq1zY0NI4wOprOhSqmTWpH-ejP8gdlDmbJ0mlDq~suDgK1id~Qjzgac1hpYH6NcCD7JmSPW0uiA8h-trTMlYugb-XwxNDhg5oSQee8YkcV7D7PoxbOzg1k7AjQaNzbPRH26LhAfYKjYkmjQHzYgFQjSD8Sn8hHXw0If5D9AsRFEpbNXXcybP48EaOlBiRl1A-IWfF9Xp15D7y2513NwGlfhCfZ1eg0bB1WJ7YsrLtKXmpDms6~gJR2n6RL71hcWgNyH-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission members voted to ask city council to discuss applying for two separate grants — a U.S. Department of Forestry program and a private grant through International Paper — that could fund tree-removal and planting work in the city.

Commission Chair said, “The grant that was the USDA grant through the infrastructure act ... anywhere from 15 to a hundred thousand dollars. Application has to be in August, I think it is, and it is a reimbursement grant. We have to spend the money and then get reimbursed for the work once it's done.” The commission discussed whether the city should assume fiscal responsibility if reimbursement were denied.

Why it matters: The grants could fund pear-tree removals and other large projects the commission has discussed, including work in the industrial park and a food-forest component. Because the federal award is a reimbursement grant, commissioners emphasized that city council must decide whether the municipality will accept the financial risk of fronting costs.

Commission discussion and next steps: One commissioner raised a central concern: “My only concern is what happens if we spend the money for something and then the grant gets shut down and we don't get reimbursed.” The chair responded that the commission should ask council first, then gather detailed cost figures. After discussion a motion to request council consider the grant application was made, seconded, and approved: “I'm in favor of that.” “Second.” “All in favor? We're all in favor.”

The commission also noted the International Paper award is a private grant separate from the federal program; both would be pursued but treated independently. Members directed staff (Brian) to assemble specific project costs and asked the commission to delay a full council request until figures and timelines are prepared.

The commission did not commit city funds; it voted only to ask council to consider the city taking the next steps and to authorize staff to assemble application materials and cost estimates for council review.

Looking ahead: Staff will prepare cost estimates and a draft council request. The chair said staff member Brian will be the point person for grant-writing when the commission is ready to proceed. Council approval will be required before the city submits reimbursement-based grant applications.","Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission members agreed to ask city council to consider applying for a U.S. Department of Forestry grant (range: $15,000–$100,000) and a separate International Paper private grant to fund tree work, but members flagged reimbursement risk and asked staff to collect numbers before asking council to commit.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219774,"Water truck repaired but crew requests lighter hoses for tree-watering operations",137,2317000,2454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b&start=2317&end=2454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b/thumbnail_2317000.jpg","/articles/6219774/Ohio/Water-truck-repaired-but-crew-requests-lighter-hoses-for-tree-watering-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219774-e18fbca982f876c4c760324a8efff1b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955838&Signature=A54G2E2XfhvDiJSwiOE~1zmFzZImF3eaR04RuS-baxGCth7O8o6hMeWBTzYY1p52SxvnbaEriEN5~o1xBvhR97LXy-pfHglTb7G5x4oSxha-SIfpGHD16iBNhzF457rJ5Ee~5JTBdhAbfcRE6sHt~a8nDm9dqo3hQJCgqx-bOwToHYMOz-0UE51WYrcito4x7LqvgvPMcysrS~Igs0Ey7ABn8TNws9So0VIuxYkmrEXMvE4mBKCUhMKADoDP78aRHcpLGpdtSDZ9VcjkPiX15r5Bz1vLoK4mR72iiyoLxmhvbDgejzjB8wfdQR3C7Py4bPEOUms7vnuyBcl7HKNhIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners heard an operational update that the city’s water truck — used for watering newly planted street trees — is repaired and back in service, but crew members recommended equipment changes to improve efficiency.

The chair reported the water truck problem was an electrical issue caused by an inverter: “The inverter they were using last year to run the pumps caused electrical problem and the vehicle wouldn't run. So they got that taken care of now.” Staff confirmed crews are back at work watering trees.

Crew feedback prompted discussion of hose equipment. Commission members relayed the crews’ experience that the larger-diameter hoses purchased to handle volume flow are “hard to manage” in the field and heavy for staff and volunteers: “The only thing that gives us any problems right now is, the hoses are hard to manage,” a staff representative summarized.

Commissioners asked staff to review options: either procure a lighter-weight hose system if funds permit or adapt existing equipment (for example, modify extensions or reuse older hoses) so crews can work longer shifts without excessive strain. Staff (Randy and Brian) will check existing inventory and return with a recommendation on replacing or modifying hoses before next season.

Next steps: Staff to discuss hose options with watering crews, assess costs for lighter-weight hose sets or adaptors, and report back. The commission also suggested budgeting for a backup set of hoses if year-end funds are available.","Commissioners were told the city water truck’s electrical inverter problem has been fixed and crews are back to watering trees. Crews reported the new 3/4-inch hoses are heavy and cumbersome; the commission asked staff to explore lighter-weight backup hoses or modifications to make watering more efficient.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219779,"Planned Public Square upgrades prompt tree assessment to protect arboretum status",188,2520000,2708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b&start=2520&end=2708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b/thumbnail_2520000.jpg","/articles/6219779/Ohio/Planned-Public-Square-upgrades-prompt-tree-assessment-to-protect-arboretum-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219779-66fd7c56b93936510ddb660b52bf34ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955838&Signature=oRyIPJ~4ZnXjoJjHi~bzd1LHLZtdFKVehBTQYjhHfxZqMnBL~urkKsjGMXUtVmTJ~n9~AeSHmG1x9SqDOFpnlOGDY14o0lY56pzxRpa9n62O98sRjXELn7kbrFnU24qnzAkhwnc98uE3boB2iwuFwqdVSlNc0Ah8EOkWEMBHYqPU9M1pMUF~wLkL~fCteIckukRvzClL1Rgv8VUidEX9yifGsRIIBPbiOzNvaCydGiFEcXL8u1Ha3N~7ffIBUGrLY33tVNfYgQ8Rt5A0FFnhkcs9SaPo6vh2jW3XSyzXhipb22XdGNZ3VfTZZEO-Q013VXg-uNvbkGEnv9CYNy0vdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon staff are exploring a multi-year redesign of Public Square that would add seating and hardscape upgrades and could move the veterans bricks; the Shade Tree Commission said it must first identify trees to retain or remove so the city can meet its arboretum species requirements.

A commission member explained the timeline: “They are planning on moving the, the memorial or the veterans, bricks, in the next year or 2. And so we need to first identify if any trees have to go and which ones and replace with non duplicate species so that we can maintain the minimum, required species for the arboretum.” Members said sidewalk work on the east and west sides is already scheduled for this year and the fountain is slated to be repainted and receive stone edging.

Commissioners and staff flagged stormwater as a principal design constraint: water running off High Street “washes everything away,” so any redesign will require integrated stormwater engineering. The commission said this makes the project a several-year effort but stressed that tree counts and replacement plans must be part of the master plan so the arboretum designation and tree species diversity are preserved.

Next steps: Commission volunteers and staff (including public-lands personnel) walked the square recently and identified potential planting spots where replacements could be located. The commission will continue coordinating with the city’s building maintenance and an architect who has offered to consult on hardscape ideas. The Shade Tree Commission requested to be involved in design conversations and to prepare a plan for any necessary tree removals and replantings in coordination with the parks department.","City maintenance staff plan hardscape upgrades in Public Square that may require moving the veterans memorial and replacing planters; the Shade Tree Commission will assess which trees must be removed and where replacements can go to preserve the arboretum's species minimums.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219785,"Commission weighs creating nursery for Sequoia seedlings, looking to plant dozens",139,1640000,1779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b&start=1640&end=1779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3620976-605a5d7df7c6dbde308f0a5474f2b92b/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6219785/Ohio/Commission-weighs-creating-nursery-for-Sequoia-seedlings-looking-to-plant-dozens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219785-cde26ad550d38f871936493b4d2b410c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955838&Signature=nfEqBidVDseBvb-pr03IJ8bq8wGqVYRukUJxBp--FHFRkiYxrW~qCD6bHu4GZrzc-ZoqB3dRsKoUI3G9ABMfVTGr3ey7dnqVI57TRCoQc9z2JD-GVU1ypfbNR5fBS6ERrl28TE4uccYIMx14mse-wJngIaBQ8yhqIqxIMeraK9fhvmVB4AKSMHWAJ7jfzZq-qgnB5VEFsETyPryM2g~XEB9gz9exn0~vZ3hCHqOZFVwCpkPb7MYX-zRE6DghaxFJ7F~uIIyCHzAxVUrTP7Y-TDEqhcU0jxWN5-Wu1oZI56h1CswgO5mW8nSK68-IFfZN47Dp4ZGXO-H8tECM26A45g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners discussed a plan to acquire a larger batch of Sequoia seedlings and to establish a small on-site nursery to grow them for several years before transplanting.

The chair summarized the approach: “The plan was to set up a, like, a 30 by 60 spot, cut the sod out, put in landscape fabric and mulch, put the trees in, put the buckets next to them, have them watered every year, and get them to grow for a couple years before we can spread them around.” The commission said the parks department must approve the nursery location before the group can proceed.

Members said they initially planned to buy 25 sequoias but found a better deal that could supply 50. The commission discussed realistic survival expectations and growth rates: one member recalled reading expected growth of “6 to 8 inches a year” while another said they “could grow a foot a year” in early years. Commissioners acknowledged uncertainty about survival rates and said they could distribute surplus seedlings to county partners if many thrive.

The group identified a potential nursery site behind Arch Avenue Park with truck access to facilitate watering; the commission asked members to stake the site and return with a formal proposal and parks approval at the next meeting.

Next steps: Staff and commission volunteers will mark a proposed nursery location, seek parks department sign-off, and finalize how many seedlings to buy. The commission did not finalize purchases at the meeting.","The Shade Tree Commission discussed buying between 25 and 50 Sequoia seedlings, creating a 30-by-60-foot nursery plot for early growth, and coordinating with the parks department for approval; members noted survival rates are uncertain and the project requires site staking and approval before planting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission debates TCP planting logistics, watering letters and list access

Shade Tree Commission OKs asking council to consider federal forestry and private grants

Water truck repaired but crew requests lighter hoses for tree-watering operations

Planned Public Square upgrades prompt tree assessment to protect arboretum status

Commission weighs creating nursery for Sequoia seedlings, looking to plant dozens