►
Description
On this edition of Aiken This Week, we introduce you to City of Aiken Director of Public Works Michelle Jones to speak about the next steps in the tree inventory process and our public information drop-in session
A
This
week,
I
didn't
bring
Langston
I'm
being
joined
today
by
Michelle
Chang's,
our
director
of
public
works
for
the
city
of
Aiken,
and
we
could
not
have
a
more
beautiful
setting.
So
talk
about
our
topic
today,
which
is
our
tree
inventory
and
management
plan.
That's
currently
taking
place
so
Michelle
thanks
for
being
here.
Thank
you
for
having
me
and
we
love
our
trees.
A
Banana
I
think
everybody
loves
our
tree
and
we
are
a
Tree
City
USA,
which
is
the
distinction
that's
made
by
the
Arbor
Day
Foundation,
which
is
a
wonderful
thing
for
our
city,
and
this
tree
management
inventory
program
is
yet
another
commitment
to
our
urban
forests.
So
can
you
talk
about
what
the
inventory
is,
what
that
entails?
I'd
be
happy
to
and
Marian.
Thank
you
for
having
me
today.
I'm
really
excited
about
being
able
to
talk
about
what
we've
been
working
on
and
what
the
city
is
embarking
on.
A
As
you
said,
as
part
of
this
tree
inventory
and
management
plan,
I
will
say
this.
You
alluded
to
this
about
the
Tree
City
USA.
We
have
been
a
Tree
City
USA
for
30
consecutive
years,
and
this
has
been
under
the
leadership
of
our
public
services
manager,
Tim
Coakley
and
our
former
city
hold
a
horticulturist
Tom
Brown
and
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
did
not
if
pay
homage
to
Tom
and
he's
he
retired.
A
This
past
Tuesday
after
33
dedicated
years
of
service,
and
we
are
going
to
miss
Tom,
he
leaves
a
rich
legacy
and
maintaining
our
trees
are.
Our
local
community
has
come
to
truly
expect
excellent
and
our
flowers
and
our
trees
and
the
whole
the
whole
nine
so
I
think
we're
just.
This
is
really
a
step
to
continue
what
he
does.
The
path
he's
already
paid
sure
he's
an
institution
all
another.
A
That's
exactly
right,
but
back
to
your
question
about
what
is
this
tree
inventory
entail
essentially
what
we
are
doing
and
we
completed
already
the
survey
work
for
a
whopping,
16,000
plus
trees
throughout
our
city.
We
broke
it
up
into
four
different
areas
by
location,
so
we've
got
our
parkways
which,
where
we're
standing
here
actually
was
the
beginnings
of
the
parkway.
The
survey
right
for
all
those
trees.
We
also
so
that's
one
management
plan,
both
category
of
Education
for
trees.
A
A
For
example,
there
may
be
a
tree
that
needs
to
be
removed
because
it
presents
high
risk
to
the
community
for
falling
down
due
to
the
disease
disease
deficiency,
that's
better,
so
that
those
recommendations
and
then
taking
those
recommendations
and
again
having
that
risk
assessment,
and
how
do
we
maintain
into
the
future
long
term
sure?
So
it's
a
this
is
a
big
deal.
What
the
city
is
doing
it
is,
it
absolutely
is
we
I
think
we
take
for
granted
a
lot
just
you
know
the
beauty
of
our
trees
that
we
have
here
so
part
of
this.
A
It's
going
to
be
the
management,
but
there's
so
many
other
benefits
that
I
think
that
we
really
do
take
for
granted.
They
come
from
the
healthy
tree
or
urban
forest.
Can
you
talk
about
that
benefit
that
we
may
not
really
realize
or
take
for
granted?
Oh
of
course,
I
have
to
again
give
credit
to
what
I
believe
has
been
a
bar
that
has
been
set
very
high
by
the
management
that
we
already
have
in
place.
Of
course,
Tom
rough
has
left
the
city,
but-
and
we
wish
him
well.
A
Tim
Coakley,
of
course,
is
over
our
public
services,
which
includes
our
buildings
and
grounds
division.
So
I
want
to
make
sure
I
point
out
that
I
believe
that
they
have
been
doing
an
excellent
job
already.
The
city
has
set
the
bar
high,
so
we've
now
we
bring
in
Bartlett
tree
experts
and-
and
they
are
going
to
take
that
baton
and
run
so
in
continuing
that
pat
down
that
path
in
terms
of
okay,
what
are
the
benefits?
I
think
the
most
obvious
benefit
of
having
a
healthy
and
robust
tree.
A
Canopy
is
the
beauty
and
the
majesty
of
these
trees.
You
know
these
grand
trees
that
you
know
I've
become
a
lover
of
Oh
tree.
Yes,
just
live
oaks
coming
to
akin,
it's
something
you
see,
but
you
don't
have
that
appreciation
for
until
you
really
get
to
be
in
it
to
dine
around
and
walk
in
our
Park
waves
and
see
walk
through
those
Gardens
exactly
and
it's
a
calming.
It
has
a
calming
effect.
A
A
Sure
just
of
our
human
environment
and
I
and
I
sort
of
said
that
already
they
add
that
calming
presence
some
other
environmental
related
benefits
that
you
have
are
things
like
shade
for
cool
reduced
energy
consumption,
reduction
of
air
pollutants,
stormwater
runoff,
also,
water
quality
improvement
come
from
a
nice
tree
canopy
and
of
course
there
are
costs
associated
with.
You
know
the
long-term
maintenance
of
our
trees,
because
they
can
become
a
liability
in
more
densely
populated
areas
where
you
do
have
the
potential
for
a
tree
to
fail.
A
One
other
thing:
I
didn't
mention,
and
people
may
or
may
not
realize
that
I
think
we
all
love
established
communities
that
pert
that
homeowner
that's
looking
to
buy
a
home.
It
adds
trees,
actually
add
value
to
properties,
so
in
community
sure
so,
and
of
course,
the
aesthetic
yeah
so
huge
benefits
that
we
just
take
for
granted
totally
take
for
granted.
So
just
another
reason
that
this
is
going
to
be
such
a
wonderful
asset
to
have
for
the
city,
we've
had
wonderful
partners,
I
know
with
this
project
through
funding
and
volunteers.
A
Who
can
you
talk
to
us
about
our
partners
that
they've
taken
on
this
project
River?
Certainly,
we
are
truly
truly
and
sincerely
grateful
and
appreciative
of
making
Land
Conservancy
and
a
unique
blend
of
local
volunteers
and
tree
enthusiast,
whose
makeup
what
we
call
our
citizens
advisory
committee
and
these
individuals,
if
it
were
not
for
them
through
their
funding
and
in-kind
support
of
this
project
it
would
not
none
of
it
would
be
possible.
So
I
will
be.
Let
me
be
the
first
to
say
thank
you
to
for
your
support
and
your
involvement
in
this
effort.
A
A
So
that's
a
wonderful
addition
to
say:
let's
talk
about
for
a
minute,
what
the
inventory
means
and
you've
touched
on
this
several
times
for
long-term
management
and
I-
think
it's
very
keen
yeah
the
fact
that
that
a
plan
was
started
long
long
ago
with
with
Tom
wrapping
in
tempo
Glee.
But
now
we're
going
to
continue
that,
and
this
will.
A
Sure
absolutely,
of
course,
I
mentioned
that
the
project
we've
talked
about
the
tree
inventory
itself.
The
overarching
project
that
part
latrine
experts
was
selected
to
in
terms
of
professional
services
that
they
have
been
selected
to
provide
has
three
phases.
The
first
phase
is
what
we've
discussed
the
tree
inventory
itself.
The
second
phase
is
actually
a
tree
canopy
assessment,
and
then
the
third
phase
is
sort
of
that
final
deliverable
of
this
urban
forest
management
plan
which,
for
the
city,
this
is
going
to
enable
us
to
do
improve
the
way
we
do
business.
A
The
way
we
plan
for
when
it
comes
to
our
trees,
I
mentioned
about
who
the
tree
inventory
assessment,
that
we
would
be
able
to
get
recommendations
for
any
any
risk
risk
assessment
for
each
tree
to
be
able
to
get
recommendations
on
ok
does
this
tree
need
to
be
with?
Do
we
and
its
though?
What
are
we
going
to
plant
that
if
there
is
lemming
or
just
any
number
of
routine
maintenance
activities
per
tree?
So
for
me,
that's
that's
key.
A
We
have
we're
not
talking
about
just
sort
of
like
a
we
just
take
a
Parkway
and
say
all
the
trees
in
the
parkway.
Each
tree
is
being
given
special
attention
and
it
says
a
lot
I
think
for
it's
going
to
take
a
lot
of
effort
and
a
lot
of
dedication
and
attention
to
detail.
But
if
literally,
we
will
have
this
down
to
a
science-
and
it's
all
said
and
done,
but
to
quickly
go
through
some.
A
Some
of
the
outcomes
that
were
expected
sure
being
able
to
thoroughly
assess
like
I,
was
saying
the
condition
of
our
trees.
So
this
will
help
us
identify
short
and
long
term
resource
allocation
for
funding
purposes
and
risk
mitigation
strategy
management
strategies.
Insofar
as
the
tree
canopy
assessment
we're
going
to
be
able
to
establish
a
baseline
measure
of
our
tree,
canopy
coverage
an
available
planting
space-
and
you
know
you,
you
don't
think
about
it,
but
the
city
of
Aitkin,
it's
a
20
20
square
miles.
A
So
that's
a
lot
of
area
that
the
city
occupies,
but
this
is
going
to
help
us
inform
college
policy
decisions
as
it
relates
to
tree
ordinances
and
being
able
to
identify
I
think
this
is
something
a
lot
of
people
will
get
their
attention
in
so
far
as
identifying
look
viable
locations
suitable
locations
for
a
tree
canopy
along
a
roadway.
So
right
now
everybody
loves.
We've
got
our
historic
tree,
canopy
along
South
boundary,
and
everybody
loves
that.
Well,
why
not
create
some
other
areas
so
that
that's
one
potential
outcome?
A
Another
outcome,
as
it
relates
to
the
urban
forest
management
plan,
is
to
develop
and
implement
this
plan
to
help
guide
future
funding,
maintenance
and
preservation
of
our
urban
urban
forests.
So
we're
I'm
excited
because
I
I
think
anytime.
You
can
generate
a
plan
that
you
can
follow.
You're
setting
yourself
up
for
success.
Absolutely
it's
very
proactive
right,
very
proactive.
They
were
not
reactive
when
something
happens,
and
we
have
an
opportunity
that
that
we've
been
proactive
exactly
it's
not
that
we're
not
scrambling
or
it's
not
damaged
something
or
a
host
of
things.
So
these
are
wonderful.
A
Where
are
we
in
the
whole
scheme
of
the
inventory
right
now
we
have
completed
the
survey
work,
so
that
was
actually
done
last
week.
This
is
very
timely,
so
and
when
I
say
the
third,
a
work
that
that's
those
warlow's,
those
four
areas
that
I
talked
about
our
Arboretum
trail,
our
Park
ways
our
city-owned
properties
and
then
our
road
right
up
rights-of-way.
A
That
double
what
we
had
initially
anticipated
as
part
of
this
effort.
So
again
it's
an
exciting
time
for
the
city
with
the
amount
of
work
that
needs
to
be
done
and
that
we're
taking
being
proactive
and
looking
at
it
now.
But
so
our
next
step
is
this
I
mentioned
earlier.
This
risk
assessment,
you
a
porch
and,
and
essentially
that
report,
will
detail
any
any
improvements
that
are
identified,
recommendations
that
Bartlett
sees
that
need
to
be
done
and
I
always
go
back
to
that
tree.
That
high
risk
I
always
want
to
look
at
the
worst-case
scenario.
A
You've
got
a
high
risk
tree
that
poses
a
consequence
of
failure
of
andorra,
likely
high
likelihood
of
failure,
and-
and
we
might
in
some
instances,
some
trees
may
have
to
be
removed
as
part
of
this
process,
but
again
it
for
the
safety
and
well-being
of
the
community
and
our
tree,
making
sure
that
we
identified
by
those
trees
and
I
mean
this
is
all
part
of
the
healthy.
It's
healthy
urban
forests
and
transitory.
That
we've
had
Michelle
I
know
that
public
input
is
very
critical
to
this
whole
process.
So
how
can
people
get
involved?
A
We
are
going
to
be
holding
a
public
information
drop-in
session
next
Thursday
November
9th,
and
that
that
session
will
be
at
our
municipal
conference
center
in
five
to
seven
pm.
What
we
are
proposing,
we
will
have,
we
welcome,
come
one.
Come
all
we're
welcoming
the
public
it'll,
be
the
public's
opportunity
to
learn
about
all
of
the
my
new
details
that
I
couldn't
possibly
go
into
in
this
segment.
A
But
at
least
people
have
an
idea
sure
exactly
what
we're
looking
at
sort
of
preliminary
assessments
that
have
been
made
so
that
that
meeting
after
after
everyone
is
able
to
go
and
look
at
these
displays
will
have
city
staff
present
myself,
our
ground
staff,
others
and,
of
course
our
consultant
team
will
be
available
to
answer
any
questions.
One-On-One
we
with
we
are
very
much
wanting
people's
input
and
feedback.
That
is
the
purpose
of
the
meeting.
Yes,
all
of
the
feedback
we
received
from
the
meeting
will
then
be
incorporated
into
our
our
actual
management
plan.
A
It
will
be
carefully
reviewed
and
made
a
part
of
that.
So
this
is
a
community
effort
that
we're
doing
and
then,
of
course,
we're
planning
to
how
we're
targeting
late
January
to
then
be
able
to
go
back
before
council
in
the
form
of
a
work
session.
To
present
all
of
this
information
to
Council
in
terms
of
what's
being
proposed
for
this
urban
forest
management
plan,
sure
sure
what
it
tremendous
I
mean
and
I
probably
needs
that
we're
waiting,
but
if
it
really
is
impacting
the
commitment
to
our
trees.
A
A
Everybody
everybody
benefit,
that's
right,
dad
Michelle!
Thank
you.
So
much
for
spending
some
time
today
to
talk
to
us
about
this.
You
did
a
great
job.
I
had
no
ideas,
it's
expensive,
isn't
it,
but
what
a
great
plan
that
we're
going
to
get
when
everything
is
all
said
and
done:
Thank
You
Marie!
We
thank
you
for
joining
us
for
Aiken
this
week.
We
hope
you'll
be
able
to
attend
the
public
information
drop-in
session
on
the
tree
inventory
and
maintenance
plan.
This
Thursday
November
9th
at
our
Municipal
Center,
calm,
Park
Avenue.