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Advisory board seeks Tree City USA recognition, plans plantings and a volunteer cleanup
Summary
The Tree and Storm Water Advisory Board said a Tree City USA application was submitted and approved by the Iowa DNR; members outlined a Mid‑America grant planting of about 10–12 trees, set an Arbor Day observance and promoted an April 11 Muddy Creek cleanup.
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Tree and Storm Water Advisory Board discussed its Tree City USA application and local tree and volunteer plans.
Brian, the board’s tree reporter, said the city’s Tree City USA 2025 application "is submitted and approved by the Iowa DNR" and now moves to the Arbor Day Foundation for final award consideration; if requirements are met, the community would mark a 31st consecutive year as a Tree City USA designee. He outlined the four required standards: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community-forest program with at least $2 per capita in annual budget (including staff time, volunteers and materials), and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The board discussed a Mid‑America trees grant proposal to plant roughly 10–12 trees on the south side of the Centennial area along the bike trail to increase shade; Brian said benches will be added around the new plantings. He also announced that National Arbor Day is April 24, 2026 and that a local proclamation will be scheduled before then.
Brian urged residents to use the dormant season for pruning, saying it is "the best time to do your trimming now" and that trees tolerate substantial pruning while dormant. He also announced the Muddy Creek and Trail Cleanup will be held April 11 at 9:00 a.m., meeting at the recreation center north parking lot; the date was moved from the usual weekend to avoid Easter to improve turnout. Board members encouraged volunteers to participate and thanked local scout groups for supporting the cleanup.
The board corrected its next meeting date to April 8, 2026 to fall before the cleanup event. The meeting record shows the board approved minutes from Oct. 8 and later moved to adjourn; the transcript captures the motions but does not include a complete roll-call tally for the recorded approvals.
The board did not take additional policy actions during the segments provided; planned plantings and the Arbor Day observance will progress through grant and foundation review before final commitments.
