Elkhart parks board approves forestry memo; members raise concerns about replacement funding and packet materials

The Elkhart City Parks and Recreation Board approved a memo from the forestry division (memo author listed as Chip Talman) at its July 15 meeting, while board members pressed staff on funding certainty for tree replacement work.

A board member asked whether grant funding that had been expected might no longer be available and what contingency plans the department had if grant money did not come through. The transcript records the question: "So how certain are we that we are getting funding to replace these trees?" A staff speaker responded that the information on funding sources would be clarified but the spoken record does not list an alternative source or a guaranteed funding plan.

Board members also asked that photographs of trees and addresses be included in future packets so the board could review proposed work before meetings. Staff agreed to include photos in advance and to provide address details to make site identification easier.

The board approved the forestry memo by motion and voice vote; the transcript indicates assent but does not provide roll-call names or dollar amounts for replacement work in the spoken record.