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Creation of a new Municipal Tree Board in Wheeling was approved late last year, members were recently appointed to serve on the city's newest board, and that board meets for the first time today.
In December members of Wheeling City Council passed a resolution establishing the new Municipal Tree Board. Between seven and 10 members were to be appointed by the mayor and approved by city council, according to the resolution, which stated members were to be city residents or serve agencies in Ohio County or the greater Wheeling area.
Additionally, at least one member is expected to have specialized knowledge and expertise regarding tree management and care. As expected, that member will be Karen Cox, Ohio County Agricultural and Natural Resources agent for the West Virginia University Extension service, who had originally urged the city to establish the new tree board.
Earlier this month, Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott proposed 10 nominees, including Cox, to serve on the Municipal Tree Board, and council approved the nominations.
"I want to thank the city and our city councilors for taking the chance on the tree board to help improve the natural resources in the city," Cox said.
"She's pretty much taken this tree board and ran with it," Wheeling Vice Mayor Chad Thalman said of Cox. "I appreciate her leadership, and I look forward to moving ahead with her on this tree board."
Elliott credited Thalman and Cox for working together to bring the new board to life.
Along with Cox and Thalman, the other members who will serve on the Municipal Tree Board include specialists in the field Ryan Wilson of the Wheeling Parks Commission, Steve Johnston of city operations and arborist Kevin Stingle, along with community members Christ Helminski, Andrew Coleman, John Byrd of the South Wheeling Preservation Society and Master Gardeners Karen Jaunsen and Mary Suhler.
According to the legislation that led to its creation, the purpose of the Municipal Tree Board will be to assist the city in an advisory capacity to establish policies, regulations and standards needed to ensure Wheeling will continue to realize the benefits that a "community forest" provides through good and property management.
The new board members are expected to serve terms from 2021-24.