OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Evansville Tree Board Meeting - May 7, 2026

City Council — Thursday, May 7, 2026
BodyEvansville, Indiana
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, May 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:57

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Can we move that up on the agenda?

0:03

Well, if we could uh end dots here and if we could have them first.

0:07

Um, we're there on two.

0:10

Uh they're the first on the agenda.

0:13

Okay.

0:14

Um, and we still got a minor two, but uh just so everybody knows it is recording now.

0:22

I I do.

0:28

You didn't get one.

0:30

Is it right there?

0:31

Yes.

0:34

I can see that.

0:35

I don't think that's it for them, but it's at the door.

0:42

Do you take pictures of the agenda on the door?

0:45

No, I don't.

0:46

I would also do that too.

0:48

Yeah, certainly.

0:48

This is a record.

0:49

Okay.

0:50

I've been through the court case before, so far.

0:53

Not worth it.

0:55

You should take take pictures of on the door.

0:59

Oh shit, I do do that.

1:00

So smart out like Indianapolis lawyers, that's a good point.

1:06

And then how do you prove held the meeting?

1:10

It's a lot harder to prove.

1:11

You can prove it, but it's also we keep adding things to the requirements for postings, do.

1:24

Now you have to list the board members on the back of the agendas.

1:29

And when we were pointed to buy who it's all there, yeah.

1:37

Are we ready to get started?

1:39

Yeah, I think maybe we still have them.

1:41

Oh, it is nine o'clock corner of the year.

1:43

Okay.

1:44

I'm sorry.

1:50

I'll take a broken for the meeting.

1:53

We'll pass them down now.

2:02

No, Paul will not be here and Chris will not be here.

2:08

Oh, could I have the go that way?

2:11

Oh, yeah.

2:12

Oh, okay, thank you.

2:29

Move for approval of that.

2:31

Oh, I'm sorry.

2:32

Um, so we started the meeting.

2:33

It is May 7th, 2026, 9 p.m.

2:36

9 a.m.

2:37

9 a.m.

2:38

Um Mike has made a motion to request request approval of the minutes.

2:43

I'll second.

2:44

Gina seconded it.

2:45

Um all those in favor say aye.

2:47

Aye.

2:48

All those opposed.

2:49

All right, and then we have um a request to remove and replace trees on the Lloyd Expressway from Rosenberger to St.

2:57

Joseph.

2:58

First up on our agenda, and we have some visitors this morning if you can state your name.

3:05

Good morning, Emily Sprinkle with the Indiana Department of Transportation.

3:10

Um so as part of the last phase of the Lloyd for You project, we are going to do an interchange modification at Barker Avenue, and so in order to do that, we need to remove some trees along there as well as some areas that might be trimmed back a little bit on the ramp approaches.

3:28

I have a copy for myself.

3:31

Okay, thank you.

3:33

So how many trees are being removed?

3:34

Um we don't have an exact account right now.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████81%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████17%
Intergovernmental Cooperation█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Evansville Tree Board Meeting - May 7, 2026

The Evansville Tree Board met on May 7, 2026, at 9 a.m. to consider tree removals for the Lloyd Expressway project, a roundabout landscaping resolution, and to review Arbor Day results. All motions passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Mike moved, Gina seconded. Approved unanimously.
  • Park Tree Removals (Paul Balsman): Removal of structurally damaged trees at Swander Ice Rinks, Haney's Corner, and How Wetlands. Motion by Sarah, seconded by Jean. Approved.
  • Street Tree Removals: Batch of dead, dying, or structurally weak trees (several ash trees). Motion by Jean, seconded by Sarah. Approved with note that neighborhood associations will be notified before removal.

Discussion Items

  • INDOT Tree Removal for Lloyd Expressway Project: Emily Sprinkle (INDOT) requested approval to remove trees for the Barker Avenue interchange modification as part of the Lloyd for You project. Approximately one acre of trees may be removed; exact count unknown. INDOT committed to a 2:1 canopy replacement, with potential replanting in the St. Joseph area near the new pedestrian bridge. Board approved with that condition. Project completion expected late 2028, with tree clearing starting fall 2026. Ideal planting window November to May.
  • Roundabout Landscaping Resolution: Mike moved to reaffirm a resolution for landscaping at the roundabout at Indiana and Crosspoint, part of the Lloyd for You project. The resolution calls for landscaped roundabouts with height and structure, similar to Hamilton County. Approved.
  • Arbor Day Event Recap: Sean reported over 220 trees given away to the public, 50 trees planted at Wesselman Park, and 30 trees planted at Roberts Park. Total of 600 trees planted this spring. Discussion about conducting an audit of tree giveaway success rates; a volunteer offered to help.
  • Tree Canopy Goal Initiative: Discussion about focusing future planting on Green River Road rather than Cross Point, as the Cross Point area is already well-planted by developers. Board noted that Green River Road is a priority.
  • Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Update: Emerald ash borer meeting scheduled for later that day; planning a fall twilight tour.
  • Upcoming Events: Tree pruners licensing seminar on May 12 at CK Newsom Center; additional seminars on August 11 and November 10 at Wesselman Woods Nature Center.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of Minutes: Unanimous.
  • INDOT Tree Removal: Approved with condition of 2:1 canopy replacement, with preference for replanting in the St. Joseph area.
  • Roundabout Landscaping Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • Park Tree Removals: Approved unanimously.
  • Street Tree Removals: Approved unanimously.
  • Adjournment: Moved by Mike, seconded by Jean, passed.

Meeting Transcript

Can we move that up on the agenda? Well, if we could uh end dots here and if we could have them first. Um, we're there on two. Uh they're the first on the agenda. Okay. Um, and we still got a minor two, but uh just so everybody knows it is recording now. I I do. You didn't get one. Is it right there? Yes. I can see that. I don't think that's it for them, but it's at the door. Do you take pictures of the agenda on the door? No, I don't. I would also do that too. Yeah, certainly. This is a record. Okay. I've been through the court case before, so far. Not worth it. You should take take pictures of on the door. Oh shit, I do do that. So smart out like Indianapolis lawyers, that's a good point. And then how do you prove held the meeting? It's a lot harder to prove. You can prove it, but it's also we keep adding things to the requirements for postings, do. Now you have to list the board members on the back of the agendas. And when we were pointed to buy who it's all there, yeah. Are we ready to get started? Yeah, I think maybe we still have them. Oh, it is nine o'clock corner of the year. Okay. I'm sorry. I'll take a broken for the meeting. We'll pass them down now. No, Paul will not be here and Chris will not be here. Oh, could I have the go that way? Oh, yeah. Oh, okay, thank you. Move for approval of that. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, so we started the meeting. It is May 7th, 2026, 9 p.m. 9 a.m. 9 a.m. Um Mike has made a motion to request request approval of the minutes. I'll second. Gina seconded it. Um all those in favor say aye. Aye.

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