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Parks staff report tree removals, outline inventory plans and note grant denial
Summary
Parks staff updated the board on recent tree-removal work in the cemetery and parks, outlined plans for a tree inventory and software, and said a forestry-service tree grant for the Harrison Wentz project was not awarded.
Jamie, a parks staff member, told the Parks and Urban Forestry Board on Jan. 16 that crews have focused winter work on the city cemetery and Lions Park, removing several large dead trees and smaller brush.
“We’ve cut down several trees and then, lots of trimming. And last this week, all week, we’ve been at Lions Park. We took down an elm tree and a big old dead cedar tree and then several small trees,” Jamie said. Staff estimated roughly 40–50 yards of debris were hauled from Lions Park.
Jamie said the department tracks every removed tree and debris hauls in a cartograph program, recording tree species and removal dates to support a future inventory. Staff discussed starting a formal tree inventory now that the holidays are over and exploring software to allow on-the-spot updates when crews remove or assess individual trees.
On grants, Dan Cassick, the city planner, briefed the board on a pending application the city called a “T set grant” with a Feb. 12 deadline. Staff described the opportunity as a two-year grant with up to $100,000 per year and a 10% local match if awarded. Separately, staff said they received notice from the forestry service that the city’s first tree grant — part of a Harrison Wentz planting project that combined donated trees from a local chapel — was not selected; staff said the project will continue but will rely more on city funds if necessary.
Jamie also described other maintenance work: repainting restrooms at Mineral Wells after graffiti and smoke damage, pre-emergent weed spraying in the cemetery to reduce spring workload, and brush removal at Cottonwood Flats. Staff said some vandalism cleaned up quickly and in one instance burned toilet paper left flame marks on a wall that were removed.
No formal policy change or funding approval occurred at the meeting. Staff said they will draft scope and software options for a tree inventory and will continue project planning for Harrison Wentz with city funds if grant support is unavailable.
Votes at a glance: At the start of the meeting the board voted to approve minutes from the Nov. 21, 2024, meeting; the motion passed with five ayes. The board noted Steven would sign the minutes.
Ending: Staff will return with a proposed tree-inventory approach and software options, and will continue planting plans for Harrison Wentz subject to available city funds and future grant opportunities.
