Buena Vista County Tree Board Posts March 5 Agenda: Planting, Pruning Workshop

Buena Vista County’s Tree Advisory Board posted a March 5 agenda to the county AgendaCenter for a meeting at the Public Works building, 755 Gregg Dr., continuing a sequence of monthly meetings that began with detailed planning in January. The January 8, 2026 minutes show the board in session, with the record noting, “Having a quorum, meeting commenced at 0912,” and list members Dan Murray, Roy Gertson, Alex Bruce, Mallory Brooks and Public Works Director Shawn Williams in attendance, with Alison Hopkins named as a potential new member.

The Jan. 8 minutes record routine procedure and formal approvals: “Agenda. Approved by motion from Dan & 2nd by Alex,” and “Minutes : December 4 , 2025 minutes. Motion to approve by Mallory & 2nd by Alex , members approved.” The board also approved its 2026 work plan: “The 2026 annual work plan was approved by motion from Mallory and 2nd by Roy, members approved. Copy will be sent to Town Council.” The minutes list the next meeting as Feb. 5, 2026 at 0900, and show the January meeting adjourning by “Motion by Roy and 2nd by Dan to adjourn at 9:55, members approved.”

Public Works Director Shawn Williams presented line-item budget figures and program items that will shape the board’s activity this year. The minutes record the budget entry verbatim: “2026 budget approved : $35 K for running / removals $ 1500 admin & Arbor Day $ 5800 adopt tree.” The board logged a spring pruning plan as “Spring 2026 pruning ( 6 on Marquette 2 On Cottonwood Ave)” and discussed tree replacement under the adopt-a-tree program, recorded as “Adopt tree, possible replace trees removed in 2025 , and at sidewalk & gutter replacements.”

Arbor Day planning and planting specifics were included in the January record. The minutes state: “Arbor Day proclamation for May 16th to The Town Council in February,” and list a seedling order: “Seedling order: For Arbor Day giveaway, Service Berry, Pinon Pine, Chokecherry with 25 of each species.” The board is also updating its Planting Guide: “Planting Guide Draft is being reviewed by consultant Gary Ludwig. Alison will add an asterisk for each native plant.” The minutes record a milestone for local recognition: “Tree City USA 40 th year application was approved.”

Operational work is underway on the inventory and contractor fronts. The minutes record that “Chris Hartley is working on the tree inventory using the Tree Plotter software.” The board also noted outside activity: “Integrity Tree Services have been spotted inspecting trees for SDCEA.” A planned outreach element remains pending: “CSFS ; Leeza not present, a Spring pruning workshop is pending.”

The AgendaCenter posting on March 5, 2026 sets a March 5 gathering at 755 Gregg Dr. and lists routine advisory items including approval of minutes and the annual plan, continuing the agenda items documented in January. Separate material included in the records pertains to county-board business from 2021: “If the Board would choose to appoint, they could advertise and take applications now, interview candidates, and be ready to appoint on March 1, 2021.” That 2021 document also notes, “By having an election, there would be a delay on when a new Treasurer would be sworn in to office, as the soonest there could be an election, would be mid-April.” The Tree Advisory Board’s minutes and the March 5 AgendaCenter posting together show budgeted removals and planting, a scheduled Arbor Day giveaway, and inventory and training work shaping Buena Vista County’s street and park tree program for 2026.