The New Albany Tree Board met on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 8:15 PM. The meeting was called to order with roll call: Adam David, David Barksdale, Matt Bazell, Claudia Shrek, Ann Streckfest, and Brick Sizemore. Four members were present, establishing a quorum. No public comments were received.
Mark reported that the Arbor Day event was held in conjunction with the farmers market on Bank Street. Approximately 85 trees were given away (up from 12 the previous year), and the location was deemed highly successful for reaching the target audience. Discussion covered options for future events: a custom tree costume or a fixed photo prop, and obtaining a canopy tent with the tree board logo. The board directed Chris to research canopy costs and report back. Tree board funds from the IRA grant ($105,000 remaining out of $250,000) are available for community outreach items such as costumes and canopies.
2011 Culvertson / 2014 Ekin Street – A resident at 2011 requested a tree be planted across the street at 2014, but the occupants at 2014 (renters) stated they do not want a tree. The homeowner at 2011 also declined a tree due to a handicapped parking spot. After discussion, the board agreed to have Mark revisit the block, check if renters have changed, and evaluate planting opportunities elsewhere along that side of the street. Consensus to review and report back.
2503 Roanoke Avenue – A large ash tree (approximately 35 inches diameter) with significant dead limbs overhanging a house. Two arborists recommended removal. The board voted unanimously to first check with Duke Power regarding utility lines, then confirm ownership using right-of-way measurements, and proceed with removal using city funds or potentially an ash grant. Motion by David, seconded by Ann, carried.
1518 Shelby Place – Two large silver maples on the median showing rapid decline. The board decided to have Mark communicate with nearby property owners, inform them of the tree condition, and explore the possibility of removal and replacement with new trees. Consensus to monitor and report back.
City Hall Front Trees – A dead gum tree near the building was already removed and replaced, and a fifth tree was added. The board retroactively approved this action. Motion and second, carried.
Just blame it on my gosh. I've advocated for a go button. So we are on. All right. Go ahead and call the tree board meeting for Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 to order, and we'll start with the roll call. Adam David. Here. David Barksdale. Here. Matt Bazell. Claudia Shrek. Ann Streckfest. Here. Brick Sizemore. We have four that takes four to pass any motion. All right. Our first item is public comment. Do we receive any public comment? Because no one is present right now. We've not received anything. I was kind of hoping after Arbor Day, somebody would be interested in no interest. Well, then we'll move on to our next item on the agenda, which is the Arbor Day recap. So I'll turn it back over to who wants to lead that off. Mark. I thought it went real well. I think the farmers market for exposure. I mean you can tell by the we had a hundred trees to give away. Last year we gave away about twelve. This year we gave away, I think I had 15 less. Wow. 85 trees. Pretty good, pretty good. I I noticed obviously I was there to set up and and kind of get started, and then I had to leave for another event. But I I think that worked out really well being with and embedded in the farmers market because so many more people were coming up and taking items or conversating or just asking questions even before I left. So you've got a captive audience there. Yeah, you you do. So yes, I have the audience that we're kind of looking for, those people that visit farmers markets to be more tree-oriented. Yeah. There he is. Yeah. We'll get him seated here for the for the record. Let's show that Matt has joined us as uh a fifth tree board member. No, you're quite right. We're just on Arbor Day recap. Um other, I guess, takeaways. Um I know we weren't able to get the uh the costume quite like we wanted. I I agree with your assessment about ordering it from did not want to take a chance for as expensive as it would have been that it didn't show up a the quality we wanted or B show up at all. Yeah. So but I do think it would be worth it if it's something we want to do for like harvest to go ahead and have one custom made to look the way we want and maybe spend a little extra, but sure. It's an educational piece that I think we can cover under a grant too.