Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-17-2017 Minutes Tree Board Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3 Minutes Tree Board 9a.m. May 17, 2017 Town Barn, 101 E. Orange St. Present: Chairwoman Andrea Lewis, Vice Chairwoman Frances Harris, Casey Collins, Tim Logue, and Liz Waters Absent: George Campbell, Bryan Stuart, and Greg Yavelak (ex officio) Guests: Nell Kriesberg, Kristen Prelipp, and Katie Murray Item 1: Call to order, roll call, and confirmation of quorum Chairwoman Lewis called the meeting to order at 9 p.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Item 2: Additions to the agenda and agenda adjustment Chairwoman Lewis added an item regarding pollinators. Ms. Trueblood added a review of the new advisory board appointment policy. Item 3: Approval of minutes from April 19, 2017, meeting Motion: Vice Chairwoman Harris moved to approve the minutes as presented. Second: Mr. Logue seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 4: Discuss opportunities to create bee hotels as a Bee City USA initiative Ms. Trueblood acknowledged that Nell Kriesberg was a guest at this meeting. She also introduced Hillsborough Arts Council Program Director Kristen Prelipp and Orange County Arts Commission Coordinator Katie Murray, who were present for the bee hotels discussion. Ms. Trueblood reviewed that this board has been discussing the promotion of native bee habitat in the community and is interested in funding one bee hotel showpiece project. She reviewed that there are a variety of materials which can be used to create bee hotels. She shared a photo of one at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. She proposed the showpiece project as a first step, followed by a workshop to encourage Hillsborough resident to create bee hotels. Ms. Murray shared that the Orange County Arts Commission is working on a separate project to paint the manhole covers along Riverwalk with native plants. Ms. Trueblood said she is torn because there are many craftsmen in town who would likely create what the Tree Board wants at the cost of the materials and yet there is the desire to support local artists by commissioning a work of art. A board member said offering a commission makes the project a little Page 2 of 3 more serious. Ms. Trueblood noted it would be nice for the commission to include several years of maintenance on the piece. Ms. Murray said the Orange County Arts Commission would contribute to the cost of the commission. Ms. Prelipp suggested scheduling the unveiling of the bee hotel-commissioned project to take place in conjunction with the River Park concert on Oct. 28. The unveiling could take place at 11 a.m., and then the Hillsborough Arts Council could assist with workshops throughout the day to help people make their own bee hotel. There was interest in placing the commissioned bee hotel in Gold Park. Ms. Murray agreed that the Orange County Arts Commission will coordinate the call for artists and the selection process. The plan is to choose an artist by August. It was agreed in discussion that the Tree Board will financially contribute to the showpiece project, the Hillsborough Arts Council will run the workshops, and the Orange County Arts Commission will coordinate the selection of the artist. Motion: Vice Chairwoman Harris moved that the Tree Board provide $1,000 in Fiscal Year 2018 from its public education funds for a commissioned bee hotel in Gold Park in partnership with the Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Board, Hillsborough Arts Council, and Orange County Arts Commission. Second: Mr. Logue seconded. Vote: Unanimous Added Item 5a: Milkweed Chairwoman Lewis shared information about a systemic pesticide treatment on milkweed sold at The Home Depot that kills Monarch butterflies, among other insects attracted to milkweed. Item 5b: Update on Cates Creek pollinator garden planting Ms. Trueblood reported that the planting at Cates Creek Park went well and that a good number of volunteers came out to help. She and Stormwater and Environmental Services Manager Terry Hackett have plans to extend the landscaping and plantings at the park as part of a second stormwater management project. Item 6: Debrief April 28 Last Fridays pollinators event Ms. Trueblood suggested the Tree Board set up a table next year at Orange County’s Earth Evening Celebration event at the Farmers Market Pavilion instead of at Last Fridays because many more families and people interested in trees and bees are at the Earth Evening event, which takes place simultaneously with the April Last Fridays. Item 7: Updates  Garden Club: Andrea Lewis — The Hillsborough Garden Tour and plant sale will take place the weekend of May 20-21.  Staff updates: Stephanie Trueblood — o Churton Street Access Improvements Project — It is going well. The rain is slowing the contractor but that’s OK with Ms. Trueblood because it gives her time to better oversee the work. Page 3 of 3 o Parking lot planting — The contracted landscaper has been planting many plants in the downtown lot. Ms. Trueblood will ask the Hillsborough Garden Club whether some members are willing to care for more planters. o Flooding — Floodwaters damaged the Gold Park pollinator garden, but a workday occurred soon after the flood and volunteers added soil and mulch. Ms. Trueblood reported the tree identification signs remained intact. She has received a lot of positive feedback on these small signs. She has in mind two other trees on the Riverwalk greenway that need signs and is interested in posting similar tree identification signs in other parks. o Treasure Tree article — Ms. Trueblood reported The News of Orange printed the article without the photograph. Members informed her it was printed the following week with the photograph. o Tree vandalism — Ms. Trueblood reported lower limbs were torn off small trees in Gold Park, and the stepping stones in the pollinator garden were thrown in the river. o Ms. Trueblood reviewed the new volunteer appointment policy recently approved by the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners. Item 8: Adjourn Chairwoman Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:11 p.m.