Tree Commission

Education
Environment
Health
Parks
Politics

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024
1:30 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. EDT

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The City of Akron’s Tree Commission was created to respond to residents’ concerns or problems regarding trees in the city. Whether a resident is unhappy with a tree in their devilstrip, needs a street tree removed or trimmed, would like a street tree, needs to report an issue, or more, the Tree Commission is here to help. Meetings are virtual and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/@AkronOhio/streams

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Akron - OH Documenters Team

Note-taking by Meagan Rodgers

Tree recognition program would celebrate trees around Akron; members consider expanding commission

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Live reporting by Brittany Nader

Commission considers and discusses expansion ideas and tree-of-the-month concept

brittanynader
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The remote meeting, streamed on the City of Akron YouTube page, was called to order at 1:30 p.m.
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Sarah Vradenburg and Eufrancia Lash are not in attendance, but the commission does have a quorum.
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The commission approved minutes from the July 16, 2024 meeting and went into New Business, starting with its Public Education Strategy.
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Jeff Fusco said they are "close" in terms of design for a brochure and procedure for a new Tree of the Month program.
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The Tree of the Month (or Season) program is a contest in which citizens nominate interesting trees in their wards.
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Fusco proposed reworking this as a "Tree of the Season" program since coming up with new signs every month may overburden the city's service department.
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Fusco said he reached out to "a city down south" with a Tree of the Month program. He emailed them for info on how they nominate trees and what criteria they look for.
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He will email everyone on the commission to make sure signs and criteria are available via email for comment.
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Fusco said the Signal Tree may be the first tree in the program since it's the most recognizable and popular in Akron. He wants to reach out to Summit Metro Parks to get the word out. Fusco will call them.
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Fusco said trees that meet the criteria will receive a sign in front that includes the designation, along with a QR code and information about the Tree Commission.
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Fusco then went into the agenda item regarding outreach to council members about the Tree Commission and programs. Sara Biviano said Wards 4, 6 and 7 asked the Tree Commission to attend their upcoming meetings.
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Fusco then led the conversation about expanding the Tree Commission. He wants to wait for Lash and V to weigh in.
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Fusco discussed expanding the Tree Commission from five to seven or possibly nine members at the request of Director of Sustainability and Resiliency Casey Shevlin. Shevlin said people in the community are interested in getting involved.
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Fusco proposed a "Friends of the Tree Commission," similar to the Friends of the Library. These individuals could help with initiatives like tree planting and attend commission meetings.
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He said Keep Akron Beautiful has a mission similar to theirs, so he'd like to reach out to them as part of a possible expansion of the commission as well.
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Patricia Wyatt asked if they had any information on their website about joining/getting involved. Currently they do not.
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In New Business, Fusco mentioned he saw a "technology for trees" kiosk at Mustard Seed in Highland Square. People can turn in their old cell phones or laptops, and a portion of the proceeds from those recycled items goes toward planting trees.
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He said he'd like to learn more about the program and possibly get the commission involved in that or a similar initiative.
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There was no additional new business. The meeting was adjourned at 1:47 p.m.
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The Tree Commission "was created to respond to residents’ concerns or problems regarding trees in the city," according to the City of Akron website. Residents can submit a tree-related service request here: akronoh.citysourced.com
akronoh.citysourced.com
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The commission's mission is "To work with the city of Akron, Ohio, to provide a safe, healthy and sustainable urban canopy by creating educational opportunities for the public to learn about the importance of trees." 🌲
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That's a wrap! Have questions, think we got something wrong? Email any questions about this thread to - documenter@signalakron.org
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For more meeting coverage, check out . akron.documenters.org
akron.documenters.org
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