HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011-09-12 COW minutesMinutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop of the President and the Board of Trustees Held on September 12, 2011 In the Boardroom Mayor Collins called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Present were: Mayor Collins, Trustee Rippy, Trustee Bonuchi, Trustee Fay, Trustee Lamb, Trust ee Peck and Trustee Racic h. Others present: Brian Murphy, Village Administrator; Michelle Gibas, Village Cler k; Michael Garrigan, Planning Supervisor; Allen Persons, Public Works Di rector; and John Konopek, Interim Police Chief. Trustee Fay moved to approve the Minutes of th e Committee of the Whole Workshop and Executive Session held on August 22, 2011. Seconded by Trustee Lamb. Voice Vote. All in favor, 0 opposed. Motion carried. PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS Mayor Collins commented on the River Days events and thanked everyone involved. TRUSTEES COMMENTS Trustee Fay also commented on the River Days events . He was very pleased with the attendance. Trustee Fay thanked all the volunteers and the Plainfield Police and Fire Departments. Trustee Lamb thanked the Honor Guard for presenting the colors this evening. Trustee Bonuchi commented on the amount of educati on that the PEMA voluntee rs need to have and thanked them. Trustee Peck expressed disappointme nt with the recent closing of two (2) Plainfield businesses. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. WORKSHOP MEETING #1 EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) Mr. Allen Persons stated that last fall the Illinois Department of Agriculture had confirmed that the Emerald Ash Borer has infested trees within the nor thern section of the Village. The Village is responsible for over 6,000 ash trees th at reside within the parkway. That number does not include the number of ash trees on private property. Mr. Scott Schirmer, Illinois Department of Agricu lture, gave a presentation regarding the Emerald Ash Borer. Mr. Schrimer also reviewed signs a nd symptoms of infestation. Mr. Schrimer pointed out that by the time infestation is realized, the damage to the tree ha s already been done. The tree can host EAB for 3-5 years before symptoms become no ticeable. Mr. Schrimer reviewed some possible options including insecticides and re moval of the trees. Mr. Schrimer pointed out that if a chemical is found to be 80% effective that means that 20% of the beetles will still surviv e. There is a relatively new treatment that is being found to be 98% eff ective, however, it has not been around long enough to know the long term effects, but still need to keep in mind that even with 98% effectiveness, 2% still live.
Meeting Minutes Committee of the Whole Workshop – September 12, 2011 Page 2 of 2 Administrator Murphy stated that Michigan had infestation issues and the only thing that worked was to remove and replace the trees. Mr. Murphy also pointed out that the new treatment option that Mr. Schirmer discussed was not available at the time he worked in Michigan and they were dealing with the infestation. Trustee Peck requested that staff provide a cost benefit analysis a nd also suggested if Ash Trees are seen on private property to try to contact the owner. Mr. Persons stated that staff will work on a cost analysis and bring back information for the Board’s review. Mayor Collins read the reminders. Trustee Fay moved to adjourn. Seconded by Truste e Lamb. Voice Vote. All in favor, 0 opposed. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Michelle Gibas, Village Clerk