Trending
WHEELING - The suggestion of establishing a Municipal Tree Board has taken root in the city of Wheeling, as members of city council this week decided to move forward with that plan.
The Municipal Tree Board's purpose will be to assist the city in an advisory capacity, establishing policies, regulations and standards needed to ensure Wheeling will continue to realize the benefits that a "community forest" provides.
Wheeling City Council passed a resolution this week establishing a Municipal Tree Board. At least seven, but no more than 10, members will be appointed by the mayor, with council approval. Members will be city residents or serve agencies in Ohio County or the greater Wheeling area. At least one member is expected to have specialized knowledge and expertise regarding tree management and care.
The tree board will be expected to adopt bylaws and perform duties to be outlined in a Community Forestry Ordinance for the city. Board members will also collaborate with officials from the city's parks and recreation, public works and legal departments, as well as the city's planning commission and the Wheeling Park Commission.
"I want to see the city move forward with increasing the number of trees in Wheeling, and the development of a Municipal Tree Board is just one step," Wheeling Vice Mayor Chad Thalman said.
Thalman said this will help the city improve its overall management of urban trees.
"There are many benefits of an urban canopy of trees -- including shade, wind reduction, natural stormwater management, increased property values and an improvement of air quality," Thalman said. "With the upcoming Downtown Streetscape Project and the development of the Robrecht Waterfront Park, I believe the timing is right to invest in urban greenery."
Last month Karen Cox -- Ohio County Agricultural and Natural Resources agent for the area's West Virginia University Extension service -- gave council members a detailed presentation about advances in urban tree management. Cox urged city leaders to establish a Municipal Tree Board and update its city codes pertaining to tree management, along with working to achieve the designation of being a Tree City USA.
Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott said he planned to look to Cox for advice in selecting nominees for the Municipal Tree Board, which is expected to be put in place at the beginning of the new year.
"At this point, our approach to filling the openings on the new Municipal Tree Board will be twofold," the mayor said, noting that collaborating with Cox to garner recommendations will plant the initial seeds in that regard. "And we will be advertising the openings as well online and through the print media.
"Our hope is to find a diverse group of interested parties from across each of the city's six wards who will be ready to join this board in early 2021."