A question of rising heat temperatures and the need for more trees in the city was raised during the Parks, Trees and Trails Committee meeting held July 17.
Committee Member Linda Ziedrich introduced a potential grant opportunity through the Arbor Day Foundation Community Roots Program that could potentially bring in between $100,000 to $1 million for the development of tree canopies, “and addressing challenges such as nature deprivation, access to green jobs, food insecurity and urban heat.”
However, according to the Arbor Day website, only community-based nonprofit organizations and tribes can apply for the grants. As a member of the Lebanon Garden Club, Ziedrich noted the scope of the project would be above their means, so she was hoping there would be a way for the city to get involved.
“I’m hoping that the city could, with the heat wave that we’ve seen lately with temperatures as high as 106 degrees at my house, I’m hoping that everybody could understand that Lebanon needs a fuller tree canopy to keep the city a little cooler, and this is an opportunity” Ziedrich said.
Recently the Garden Club approved spending $1,100 for planting street trees, but Ziedrich said the Arbor Day grant funds could go much further.
Interim City Manager and Engineering Services Director Ron Whitlatch said the city does not have enough staff time to pursue the grant, especially given the fast approaching deadline.
Related to the subject of trees, Ziedrich asked Public Works employee Jason Rush if the city was responsible for the removal of the only two trees on the entire block where Lebanon Calvary Chapel and Sam’s Automotive sit.
Rush said he wasn’t aware of the city being involved with that, but indicated the power company might be responsible if the trees posed a problem with power lines. Ziedrich asked if the city could “get after” the church to replace the trees because without them it “heats up the neighborhood and looks ugly.”
In other business:
- Whitlatch reported that staff have begun working on a trail that goes through Gill’s Landing, and the Beaton Lane pedestrian signals are now up and functioning.
- Whitlatch reported that work for the Airport Road multi-use path and the Airport/Stoltz Hill traffic signal will begin this fall with completion expected next summer. He added that the city will have to close Airport Road during part of the project, so they are timing it out to happen while school is out of session.
- Jason Rush announced that Rite Aid and city staff are working through the process to remove trees in front of the store on Oak Street. He also reported that a tree on 12th Street has been removed.
- Rush told the committee a member of the public requested exercise equipment, such as pull up bars and other stationary items, be placed on trails. He believes the city would be okay with such items being installed as long as the equipment was donated.
- Committee Member and Build Lebanon Trails Volunteer Rod Sell reported BLT is working on creating markings or signs for the pedestrian trail near Beaton Lane.
- Sell reported BLT volunteers had a work day on the North Shore Trail and Cheadle Lake. Using materials provided by the city, they repaired cracks on the trail with polymer sand. The city will go over with chip and crack seal coats later, funded by BLT.