Shade Tree commission approves water-truck upgrades, Hiawatha Park replacements and accepts minutes corrections

The Mount Vernon Shade Tree Commission voted to approve an extra $650 to upgrade a water-truck pumping unit, approved spending up to $1,350 to replace six failed arborvitae at Hiawatha Park and accepted corrections to past meeting minutes.

Commissioners said the city council has voted the commission a $50,000 budget for the year but members said the funds had not been released as of the meeting.

At the meeting, a commissioner moved and another seconded that corrections be made to the minutes from prior meetings; those corrections were accepted by voice vote. The group then discussed a quote to replace six arborvitae that had died in a planting strip adjacent to a new parking lot at Hiawatha Park. A motion to spend up to $1,350 for those replacements was made and approved by voice vote.

Commissioners also discussed a water-truck tank-and-pump unit used to fill tree-watering bags across the city. The commission previously encumbered $8,100 from last year’s budget for a modular pump and tank unit; staff later obtained quotes for an electric start, battery kit and an upgraded nozzle. A motion to approve an additional $650 for the electric-start kit, battery and nozzle was moved and seconded; commissioners approved the expenditure by voice vote. Members emphasized the city, not the commission, owns the truck and that parks department staff operate and maintain the vehicle. The commission’s $650 payment is for equipment upgrades only.

Votes at a glance

- Acceptance of minutes corrections: motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote; exact tally not specified in the transcript.

- Hiawatha Park arborvitae replacement: motion to spend up to $1,350 to replace six arborvitae at Hiawatha Park; approved by voice vote; exact tally not specified in the transcript. Note: funds are encumbered only after the city releases the commission’s budget.

- Water-truck upgrade: motion to authorize an additional $650 (beyond $8,100 previously encumbered) for an electric start, battery kit and a nozzle for the modular pump/tank unit; motion seconded and approved by voice vote; exact tally not specified in the transcript. The city will retain ownership of the unit; the Shade Tree funds pay for the upgrade components.

Commissioners who spoke on these items included Sarah (Shade Tree commissioner), Laura (Shade Tree commissioner), Randy (Parks Department staff), Scott (Superintendent of Parks) and staff members Zane and Brian. Several speakers clarified that the city holds vehicle title and that parks department covers fuel costs; the Shade Tree funds pay for equipment and tree-care activities.

Commissioners said they will encumber the Hiawatha Park replacement once the city releases the commission’s budget.