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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-21-2017 Minutes Tree Board Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3 Minutes Tree Board 9 a.m. June 21, 2017 Town Barn, 101 E. Orange St. Present: Chairwoman Andrea Lewis, Vice Chairwoman Frances Harris, George Campbell, Casey Collins, Tim Logue, Bryan Stuart, and Liz Waters Absent: Greg Yavelak (ex officio) Item 1: Call to order, roll call, and confirmation of quorum Chairwoman Lewis called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Item 2: Additions to the agenda and agenda adjustment There were no changes or adjustments. Item 3: Approval of minutes from May 17, 2017, meeting Motion: Ms. Waters moved to approve the minutes as presented. Second: Vice Chairwoman Harris seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 4: Fiscal Year 2018 budget update Ms. Trueblood reviewed that every June she reports to the board regarding the budget approved by the Board of Commissioners earlier in June. She reviewed descriptions of the Public Space budget line items. She noted that the $1,000 allotted for printing brochures for the Tree Board is going toward the commission for the bee hotel art project instead. If this board needs to print more brochures, she can identify other funds to do so. There is $5,200 for purchasing and planting new trees and $10,000 for tree removals and pruning. This board received what it requested in the final budget. Item 5: Discuss FY18 work plan Vice Chairwoman Harris said she thought this board had decided to choose only one Treasure Tree a year, in the spring, rather than choosing one in the spring and one in the fall. Motion: Mr. Campbell moved to select the Treasure Tree in the spring and to eliminate the fall Treasure Tree selection. Second: Mr. Stuart seconded. Vote: Unanimous Ms. Trueblood reviewed there are certain topics covered at certain times of the year. The board reviewed a draft work plan. Ms. Trueblood said this board used to take off July, but lately November and December are the months this board has not been meeting. Budget requests will be addressed in the October meeting. Page 2 of 3 Ms. Trueblood encouraged board members to propose projects. She explained she has in mind creating a master plan for each park and cemetery would like this board to participate. Mr. Stuart asked why no trees are planted near the play equipment at Gold Park. Ms. Trueblood explained that playground regulations do not allow trees to be planted within the fall zone area. Also, sun shades have to clear a play structure by such a height that it renders them useless. The deck of the larger play equipment at Gold Park also is so high that a sun shade would have to be removed in high winds or would tear. She explained the Parks and Recreation Board has plans to replace the large south-facing slide at Gold Park because it gets too hot and is warped. Meanwhile, she noted, this board has planted trees around Gold Park outside the fall zone and those trees are growing, so there will someday be more shade than there is now. Ms. Trueblood suggested that the work plan priorities are master plans for Turnip Patch Park, Murray Street Park, and Cates Creek Park. This board would focus on trees, landscaping, and gardens while the Parks and Recreation Board focuses on other aspects of those parks. Also, she would like the Tree Board to work on a master plan for Margaret Lane Cemetery. Ms. Trueblood reported there is money in the budget for parking improvements, the bio-dock and interpretive signs for Kings Highway Park. Construction costs have increased dramatically, so she does not know whether the $25,000 set aside for parking improvements will be enough to do what the Parks and Recreation Board planned to do. Item 6: Discuss 2017 Arbor Day plans Ms. Trueblood reviewed that at the September Last Fridays, the mayor usually reads the proclamation and the Tree Board sets up a table. She said a tree planting has also been done in the past, but this board has moved toward tree planting later in the fall. The board decided to do a tree planting in November at Cates Creek Park. A member recommended an American basswood. Ms. Trueblood will check the availability of that type of tree. Item 7: Introduce black walnut tree research service project Ms. Trueblood reported that former member Karen MacAulay sent information about the research project. This would not be a Tree Board project, but individual members could fill out information about the location of these trees and whether they show the symptoms that are being followed. Item 8: Updates • Garden Club: Andrea Lewis — She had no report. • Chatham Mills Pollinator Garden visit: Stephanie Trueblood — Ms. Trueblood reported there will be a quorum for that visit. • Staff updates: Stephanie Trueblood o Churton Street Access Improvements Project — Ms. Trueblood reported the project is going well. She said businesses are worried about losing business through the construction process, so she is advocating that people make an extra effort to patronize the businesses. o Gold Park bee hotel — Ms. Trueblood encouraged the board members to spread the word about the commissioned art project. o Tree removals — The Bradford pear in the right-of-way on Hillsborough Avenue was damaged in a storm and has been removed. Arborist Greg Yavelak determined the tree was at the end of its life, Ms. Trueblood reported. Page 3 of 3 o Watering duties — Board members reported on their watering duties. Ms. Trueblood will purchase another hose for the watering in the West King Street parking lot. There was discussion that anyone can volunteer to help with the watering and that Tree Board members should let Ms. Trueblood know if their watering duties are too much and need to be more widely shared. Item 8: Adjourn Chairwoman Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:03 a.m.