@SignalAkron Here's the Tree Commission's mission statement from their website akronohio.gov/government/boa…

@SignalAkron Meetings are virtual and can be viewed here, live or later youtube.com/@AkronOhio/str…

@SignalAkron Current Board Members of the Tree Commission are Sarah Vradenburg - Chair Jeff Fusco - Vice-Chair Sara Biviano (Secretary) Patricia Wyatt Eufrancia Lash

@SignalAkron Here’s the agenda for today’s meeting - looks like it'll be a quick one

@SignalAkron This is Akron's canopy report from 2020 cms2.revize.com/revize/akronoh…

@SignalAkron and here's the Master Tree Plan from 2016 (Horrigan's office) cms2.revize.com/revize/akronoh…

@SignalAkron I'll be back when the meeting starts ✌️

@SignalAkron ok the meeting is starting now

@SignalAkron They start off by introducing John Skakin, who will be taking over as leading council for the commission.

@SignalAkron also present are Gabe Forte, Casey Shelvin, and John Hilkert. Member Lash is not present. The minutes from the last meeting are approved.

@SignalAkron Unfinished Business is up first - they're updating the brochure with new commission members.

@SignalAkron Fusco has no new news on "Phones for Trees". They're abandoning this idea

@SignalAkron They're planning a December "retreat" where the new members can get to know each other, be trained, and make plans for next year. They're making sure the public is given proper notice of this meeting.

@SignalAkron The training the new members receive is from the Ohio Department of Forestry. ohiodnr.gov/business-and-i…

@SignalAkron it looks like they'll go to training in Kent on January 14 & 15

@SignalAkron this covers everything on the agenda. Fusco gives some more ideas on the training for the new members and who should be giving presentations on ongoing projects

@SignalAkron Fusco talks about 250 non-native trees being removed from the Goodyear Heights Metropark, and how the Tree Commission could learn a lot from how the Metroparks handle that project. He'd like to build a relationship between the Tree Commission and Metroparks.

@SignalAkron Sarah gives a rundown of Project Acorn, which involves a community nursery where local youth could work. goodplaceakron.com/akron-welcomes…

@SignalAkron Fusco suggests that they review ordinances for trees, which haven't been reviewed for several years.

@SignalAkron Shelvin suggests that public meeting laws and sunshine laws should be covered during the "retreat" for the new members

@SignalAkron Fusco asks what's been planted this year and if there's a list of trees that the community has concerns about. Knull says 65 trees were planted last month at Perkins Woods. 14 more are being planted next week across the city. Knull says he plans on doing a lot more in the spring.

@SignalAkron Knull is editing the Master Tree List - he's working on removing a few non-native species and adding some others. (this is part of the Master Planting Plan, posted at the beginning of this thread)

@SignalAkron Knull's main concern is removing Callery Pears from the master list, as they are invasive. ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-l…

@SignalAkron Knull applied for Tree City USA with the Arbor Day Foundation arborday.org/our-work/tree-…

@SignalAkron Brittany (sorry I'm not seeing her last name, she's new) has a few onboarding questions, which will be directed to the IT dept.

@SignalAkron alright the oncoming members are introducing themselves: Patricia Wyatt goes first. She's been on the Tree Commission for 2 years now. Sarah Vrandenburg says she's retired from the ABJ and is a master gardener. She's staying on the Tree Commission for one more year.

@SignalAkron Pat Selman is new, he's worked on civil engineering and green infrastructure projects for 25 years in Akron. He's here to help combat climate change with trees.

@SignalAkron Gabe Forte is new too. He works for USCIS. He volunteers with Cleveland Metroparks and is passionate about improving public health via clean waterways and green spaces.

@SignalAkron Brittany Robinson moved to Akron from Texas 5 years ago and loves the outdoors. She's looking forward to educating the community, especially the younger population, and combating climate change.

@SignalAkron Sara Biviano is the secretary for the Tree Commission and the Clerk of Council for Akron City Council. Jeff Fusco is an Akron City Council member. He's one of the people who developed the "tree piece" ordinance, including the establishment of the Tree Commission.

@SignalAkron Vrandenburg brings the meeting to a close by requesting that everyone share their contact info with each other. The meeting is adjourned at 2:30.

@SignalAkron This concludes my coverage. See all the meetings we’re covering at akron.documenters.org and check out full stories at signalakron.org !!!

@SignalAkron