Town of Cedar Lake Tree Board

4. Approval of Minutes

• Regular Meeting – May 28, 2026

5. Preferred Tree List – Review and Possible Action

• Continued from May 28, 2026 meeting; carried by motion for further review
• Mr. Titus to report on review against National Arborist Society reference – disease susceptibility, insect vulnerabilities, and invasive characteristics
• Mr. Bunge to report on Homewood, Illinois preferred species guide received from arborist David Bunge – potential reference for Bald Cypress and additional species
• Discussion of any revisions to draft list based on member review and email discussion since May 28
• Consideration of Bald Cypress as an emerging preferred species (raised at May 28 meeting; cold-hardened specimens available from northern Illinois nurseries)
• Possible action: approve draft list for presentation to Plan Commission
• Long-term goal: codify in Building and Zoning Manual revision in coordination with Plan Commission by year-end state deadline

6. Tree City USA Application – Status Update

• Application window opens September 2026
• Mr. Wroe to report on per-capita expenditure documentation compiled from Public Works and Parks records
• Status of four program requirements:
  • ✔ Tree Board – complete
  • ✔ Tree Care Ordinance – complete
  • ✔ Arbor Day Observance – complete
  • Per-Capita Expenditure – documentation in progress
• Discussion of application readiness and submission timeline

7. Tree Inventory – Methodology Presentation and Next Steps

• Mr. Wroe to present finalized GIS-based inventory methodology and working plan
• Proposed approach: distributed data collection across Parks, Public Works, and Tree Board volunteers
• Field testing on Town Grounds completed prior to this meeting
• GIS platform selection update
• Mr. Marquardt to report on field data collection assistance
• Discussion of Town Hall grounds trees – noted as showing signs of age and decline; suggested for priority review
• Discussion of youth engagement in inventory (schools, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts – raised by public comment May 28)
• Possible action: adopt inventory methodology and assign collection responsibilities

8. Plan Commission Coordination – Zoning Manual Update

• Discussion of Board's role in the year-end zoning manual revision
• Subdivision Ordinance No. 398, Title VI, Section 13 (Trees) – two-tree requirement raised by public commenter Barbara Orze at May 28 meeting:
  • Ordinance last updated 2010; enforcement concerns noted
  • Developer compliance – dead, stressed, or missing trees reported in multiple subdivisions
  • Possible recommendation to Plan Commission regarding enforcement and update
• Tree preservation during construction – consideration of penalty/replanting provisions for removal of significant trees
• Discussion of any Board recommendations to be submitted to Plan Commission prior to year-end deadline

9. Next Meeting Date

• Next regular meeting: Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
• Cedar Lake Town Hall Meeting Room, 7408 Constitution Avenue
• Note: November 2026 regular meeting rescheduled from November 26 to Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
• Note: Arbor Day 2027 planning to be added to the September 24, 2026 agenda.

10. Public Comment

11. Adjournment