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Evansville Tree Board approves membership changes, green-lights removals and planting plans
Summary
On Nov. 7, 2024, the Evansville City Tree Advisory Board approved an ordinance amendment to broaden membership eligibility, voted to allow identified street and park tree removals, and approved multiple public and residential tree-planting plans ahead of weekend volunteer events.
The Evansville City Tree Advisory Board voted on Nov. 7 to forward an amendment to the Evansville Municipal Code that changes how some board seats are filled and to approve several tree removals and planting plans.
Board members discussed three main changes to the membership section of the municipal code. A staff speaker explained the proposal would expand the eligibility for the seat reserved for a United Neighborhoods of Evansville representative to include dues-paying members of neighborhood associations, broaden the pool of candidates for a long-vacant parks board seat, and modify language so the city arborist remains a member of the board until a successor is appointed rather than being reappointed every four years. "We could get rid of the reappointing and just say the city arborist will be a member until his successor is appointed," a presenter said.
Chair (the meeting facilitator) moved to approve forwarding the ordinance amendment to the city attorney and mayor for placement before City Council; Larry seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.
The board also voted to allow identified street and park tree removals after staff and parks personnel reviewed the list. The chair said parks staff would exercise discretion in removing trees that pose safety hazards; the motion to approve removals carried on a voice vote.
On planting business, the board approved maps and plans for public and residential plantings, including work in TP Park, Goosetown Park and the New Haven neighborhood. Board members noted partner grants and donations supporting the work. A staff member summarized grant and partner contributions that underwrite much of the campaign.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance amendment (membership language): Moved by Speaker 1; seconded by Larry (Speaker 5); outcome: approved by voice vote. Vote tally: voice vote; ayes recorded, no voiced opposition on the record. - Street and park tree removals: Moved by Speaker 1; seconded by Larry; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approval of public and residential planting maps: Moved by Larry (Speaker 5); seconded by Speaker 3; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Garvin Park plantings (donation acceptance and plantings): Moved by Speaker 1; seconded by Larry; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Adjournment: moved and seconded; outcome: approved.
Board members did not provide a numeric roll-call tally in meeting minutes; motions were adopted by voice vote. The next regular meeting was scheduled for December; members encouraged participation in the weekend volunteer planting events.
