The Shade Tree Commission voted to provide a letter of support for a grant application due Aug. 27 and reviewed plans for the citys Arbor Day planting scheduled for Nov. 9.

Commissioner Gene (Shade Tree Commission) said the grant application budget came in just under the $100,000 limit and that staff and partners had secured about 13 letters of support. "We've got, I believe, like, 13 letters of support... The total budget came just under the 100,000 limit," Gene said. The commission agreed to provide a formal letter of support; a motion passed by voice vote.

On Arbor Day logistics, commissioners discussed planting roughly 30 trees, volunteer turnout and site preparation. Parks staff (Catherine Ann) can provide hand tools and an auger and will assist with site prep the Friday before the Saturday planting so volunteers can focus on planting. Commissioners estimated 201 volunteers and discussed staging trees on the bike path and supplying mulch.

Commissioners said the planting list may change slightly based on vendor availability and that the commission would finalize species and spacing before the event. The commission planned to create a city Facebook event and other outreach once the planting list was finalized.