Colby citizens ask city to help replace trees

The Colby Parks/Recreation/Recycling Committee met to discuss replacing trees on the Second Street boulevard and putting in a third volleyball court at the South Sixth Street park on May 11.

The committee discussed options for replacing trees on Second Street that were taken out due to road construction.

Director of Public Works Harland Higley said he has briefly looked into what species of trees might be suitable for these areas. An issue Higley noted was that if the city allowed trees and allowed citizens to plant them, then once they’re in the ground, the city would technically own that tree due to it being on city property.

Charlotte Haines, one resident who lives on Second Street, said the street could be classified as a boulevard park which would help citizens work with the city in finding where to properly plant the trees to avoid city utility lines.

Higley noted that he wouldn’t have the manpower or budget to go around and plant, water and eventually, trim and take care of the trees if they are considered the city’s property or part of a parks system.

Haines suggested the city come up with a list of trees that are used by other municipalities that can be planted by landowners and open up the ability to plant them for not just Second Street residents, but to all residents in the city.

The debate of whether or not the city budget would pay for the trees was split as committee members voiced their concern over the amount of trees they would have to purchase and the cost that would bring upon the city.

Haines said she had contacted a nursery and found out that a bulk order would probably save some money when ordering the trees.

CommitteememberToddSchmidtsaid he would like to explore an option where trees could be sponsored by certain businesses or individuals from around the community to help cover the cost of the trees. He used Zion Lutheran Church as an example of an entity that might sponsor some trees that would be on or near its Second Street property.

Colby resident Julie Decker asked the committee when some sort of ordinance could get passed. She said she relied on the trees in her yard and across the street for shade for her living room, especially during the summer months. Now, her living room is sun-filled and warm with the absence of trees and shade.

The committee said if they started on the ordinance tomorrow, they could get it passed in about 90 days but it would have to go through another committee before heading to the common council.

They also said that with the construction of the street, the planting of trees might have to wait until late fall or even spring of 2023 regardless of how fast the city government can get an ordinance through.

Mayor James Schmidt said they would have to dive into the budget to see if there would be any money available this year to help purchase trees.

“I don’t know about anybody else but I’m willing to buy my own trees,” Decker said. “I get that they’re the city’s [trees]. I just want some shade.”

The committee ultimately decided to draft a changed ordinance that would allow a list of certain trees to be planted and will present it at a future meeting for approval.

The discussion pertaining to the Sixth Street volleyball courts featured Wade Oehmichen, community representative, avid volleyball player and Colby High School volleyball coach, who told the city that the weekly summer volleyball league was drawing more and more teams from all over central Wisconsin.

A total of 20 teams are signed up for leagues this year, which could create scheduling nightmares with only two courts available at a time.

Oehmichen expressed that he was confi dent the court could be fully paid for by donations and fundraising and that the city might not need to put any sort of money towards the project.

“I’ve played in Marshfield. I’ve played all over and this is one of the most wellattended leagues that you’ll ever find,” Oehmichen said.

He also explained that he is hoping these courts will result in the expansion and success of not only the high school volleyball program, but youth programs for elementary and middle-school aged kids, also.

The court would require a hole to be dug that would eventually be built with sand, two poles put in place and eventually some lights installed. Oehmichen said the lights could wait if need be but he would eventually like to see lights put in for the third court.

Higley said for the other two courts, recycled light posts from city streets were used.

Oehmichen roughly budgeted $2,700 in materials and added that league dues could automatically cover $1,000 of that cost. He also added that the rest of that cost could be fundraised relatively easily.

“With the other $1,700, it would probably be an afternoon [worth of fundraising] and we could come up with the rest of that money,” Oehmichen said.

He said he would preferably have it done for this year but if the city couldn’t manage it, there would be no rush to get the court done.

Higley said the other two courts were dug out, fabric and drain tile was installed, steel poles were recycled to be used for the net holders and it was a relatively easy job for the city.

Mayor Schmidt stated that the trucking or hauling of the sand would probably be one of the bigger expenses of the project. Oehmichen said Short Lane Ag Supply or Steen Construction would probably be willing to donate their vehicles to pick up the sand from its Owen location and transport it to the Colby park.

A motion was approved to move forward with a third volleyball court and the idea will be on a future common council agenda.