April 8, 2026

CITY OF BAYFIELD TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY , April 8, 2026 CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was convened by B. Cozzi, City Forester and Chairperson of the Tree Board at 5:03 PM. MEMBERS PRESENT: Beth Cozzi, Paul Delmain, Tad Paavola (via phone), and Jacob Geisler. MEMBERS EXCUSED: James Kuzzy, Jane Edwards, and Sherman Edwards. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by P . Delmain and seconded by T. Paavola to approve the agenda for today’s meeting. The motion carried. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: A motion was made by J. Geisler and seconded by P . Delmain to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 11, 2026 as distributed. The motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT: There is no financial report. The recent expenditure for the purchase of a pole saw will be entered into the financial system shortly. OLD BUSINESS: 1. P . Delmain and T. Paavola reported on their efforts to recruit new members for the Tree Board. Further follow up with the two candidates is planned. 2. The Chair reported on the pruning recently completed by Excel Energy of the north side of Rittenhouse Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets. The question was raised about the appropriateness for additional pruning and tree removal to be completed in this same area, which would need to be accomplished by the Tree Board or a contracted service. 3. The Chair will contact Tony Black, arborist, to explore the appropriate timetable for tree pruning and removal and invasive species eradication. 4. The preliminary plans for the 2026 Arbor Day event call for the planting of several trees or shrubs in the flood plain below the Iron Bridge. The preference is to select a variety of shrubs rather than trees so that a view of the iron bridge can be preserved. The species selected will need to be adaptable to or tolerant of a wet location because of the conditions in the area proposed for planting NEW BUSINESS: 1. The Chair reported on her communications with City Hall staff to procure the arborist services of Tony Black either as a contractor or a limited term employee with the City. 2. The possibility of a May date was discussed for the orientation of the members of the Tree Board and other appropriate City staff to the computerized tree inventory software. The tree inventory system cannot be implemented until such training and orientation has been completed. The Chair will contact the Bluestem consultant to finalize plans for what is expected to be a half day workshop. 3. The 2026 Arbor Day event involving the fourth-grade class of Bayfield Schools has been scheduled for May 15, 2026 beginning at 12:30 PM. May 29, 2026 will serve as the alternate date should weather conditions require postponement. The event will take place in the area of the Big Ravine off of Washington Avenue. There will be two groups of students so it will be a split program. The Chair will speak to the Parks and Recreation Committee about their involvement in this event, since the Big Ravine/Iron Bridge and storm water management areas are part of their responsibility. FOLLOW-UP MEETING: The next meeting of the Tree Board is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the Bayfield Carnegie Library. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by T. Paavola and seconded by P . Delmain. The motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:23 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jacob Geisler