Committee advances downtown tree plan, eyes ODOT reimbursement, sponsors and July planting window

The Economic Development Committee discussed plans to plant street trees in downtown Yamhill and sketched a timeline and funding approach at its April meeting. Members said they will invite urban-tree experts from the Oregon Department of Forestry to the May meeting or do a site walk to select species and finalize placement, develop cost estimates with local nurseries, and aim to install trees in July or August.

Committee members described a likely funding route: ODOT grant money discussed in the meeting appears structured as a reimbursement grant, which means the city or sponsors could install trees and later invoice the state. Committee members noted that ODOT may require permits and a traffic-control plan for short work windows, and that public-works staff would handle concrete cutting and coordination for installations. The group discussed fundraising and sponsorships — including selling bricks for tree surrounds — and several members volunteered to sponsor or water trees.

Members discussed preliminary cost estimates heard from local sources during the meeting: tree purchase prices were described roughly as $300 to $400 each, with tree baskets around $80 apiece; members asked for formal price lists from nurseries so they could calculate sponsorship levels and fundraising needs. The committee recommended producing a cost estimate at the May meeting, confirming species and placement with Department of Forestry staff, and returning in June with a planting plan and sponsor outreach so installation could proceed in July if timelines and permits align.

There was no formal funding vote at the meeting; members agreed to move forward with planning, consultant outreach, sponsor solicitation and a projected summer planting once cost and permit details are in hand.