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HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-18-2019 Minutes Tree Board Regular Meeting Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood 101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-296-9481 | stephanie.trueblood@hillsboroughnc.gov www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov Tree Board Minutes | 1 of 2 Minutes Tree Board 9 a.m. Sept. 18, 2019 Town Hall Annex Board Meeting Room, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Chair Andrea Lewis, Casey Collins, Frances Harris, Tim Logue, Phyllis Simon and Liz Waters Absent: Bryan Stuart and Greg Yavelak (ex officio) Staff: Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood Guests: None 1. Call to order, roll call, and confirmation of quorum Chair Andrea Lewis called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. 2. Agenda changes and approval No changes. The agenda stood as presented. 3. Minutes review and approval Minutes from regular meeting on Aug. 21, 2019. Motion: Member Tim Logue moved to approve the minutes as presented. Member Phyllis Simon seconded. Vote: Unanimous Changes: None 4. Review of draft Managed Natural Landscapes ordinance Trueblood said the draft includes requiring: • A 10-foot mowed setback from adjacent property. • The right of way be mowed to keep stormwater ditches clear. • The managed natural landscape be mowed once a year after Oct. 31. The Tree Board urged the removal of the standard language regarding vermin and snakes. Trueblood explained the purpose of such language is to tie the ordinance to public health or safety. The Tree Board suggested replacement language: “harboring place for wildlife which poses a danger to public health or safety” and pointed out a possible spelling mistake. Motion: Member Frances Harris moved to recommend that the Board of Commissioners adopt the ordinance with changes as provided during the discussion. Simon seconded. Vote: Unanimous 5. Review of request to remove cedar tree at side entrance of the Orange County Historical Museum Trueblood said this is third time this request has come forward. Trueblood said the tree has presented different problems as it has grown. The roots are growing into the building’s foundation, the branches knock Tree Board Minutes | 2 of 2 shingles off the roof, and the cedar leaves clog the stormwater drain, leading to significant flooding in the basement. In the past, the Tree Board has told the museum staff to clean the drain every day, but staff is not at the museum every day. Trueblood said the Public Works Department requests that the tree be removed. The Tree Board was interested in planting something smaller in the area. Motion: Harris moved to approve the cedar tree removal with the understanding that the Tree Board will plant another tree in the vicinity in the future. Member Liz Waters seconded. Vote: Unanimous 6. Tree planting climate change initiative Trueblood has calculated that since 2007, about 407 acres in the town limits have been cleared or graded, which is 11% of the land in the town limits. She also calculated that if Cates Creek Park, Gold Park and the plantable areas of the Town Cemetery were replanted, it would be fewer than 5 acres. A tree board member wondered about asking developers who are planting junipers to plant trees instead. Trueblood wondered about the possibility of the town planting trees in the rights of way with residents agreeing to water them for the first year. Trueblood noted Member Casey Collins and Harris have started work on a draft tree planting proposal for Cates Creek and Gold parks. Trueblood encouraged including in the plan any equipment needed and a watering plan. There was some interest in amending the soil. Collins offered to develop a project scope and gather cost estimates for the November meeting. Trueblood noted there would be no October meeting. 7. Recommendations for fall/winter plantings Trueblood reviewed the plantings the Tree Board has done in recent years. She noted that the master plan for Murray Street Park includes plans to attract birds. Trueblood would love to plant the bank in this park so it is not mowed. The board generally agreed to focus on planting at Murray Street Park. Simon will meet with staff and the Audubon Society to develop a planting plan for the November meeting. 8. Updates A. Hillsborough Garden Club Lewis shared some upcoming events. B. Bee City Subcommittee Simon reported she is working with the Xerxes Society on a brochure article about Hillsborough’s Bee City initiatives. C. Staff and board updates Trueblood asked if the board wished to organize a Cates Creek Park pollinator garden workday to clean up the garden for fall. Alternatively, town staff can weed the garden a few hours a week. Some Tree Board members said they would be willing to weed from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 16. 9. Adjournment Lewis adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.