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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-20-2019 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 3 Minutes Tree Board 9 a.m. Nov. 20, 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: Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell and Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood Guests: Kim Tesoro 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 Sept. 18, 2019. Motion: Member Frances Harris moved to approve the minutes as presented. Member Phyllis Simon seconded. Vote: Unanimous Changes: None 4. Review proposal from downtown merchants to decorate downtown trees for the holidays Kim Tesoro, executive director of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber and downtown merchants have worked with town staff in past years to gain approval to place holiday lights on the trees in front of the shops. At some point, she would like to talk to the Tree Board about year-round lighting. At this meeting, she is seeking permission to place solar lights on street trees located in front of downtown businesses and restaurants from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Day. Trueblood said several years ago, lights were placed on trees without permission and past board members had concerns about lights wrapped around crepe myrtle branches. The trees are pruned once a year by hand, so it’s important to be sure the lights don’t interfere with the pruning. Tesoro said the business owners know not to wrap the trunks for a long period of time. She is looking at alternatives to wrapping the trunks, researching what could be hung in the limbs and not interfere with the ability of trees to grow and thrive. This holiday season, each merchant would decorate the tree in front of the store or restaurant with ornaments and lights. Tree Board members did not mind that proposal, but several said they preferred no ornaments. Tree Board Minutes | 2 of 3 The board then discussed parameters for year-round lighting to aid Tesoro as she researches options. The board said anything hanging from the trees would need to not weigh much. There was preference for warm white lights. There was interest in professional installation, uniformity and no ornaments. Economic Development Planner Shannan Campbell said ornaments have not blown off the town holiday tree. She added that around Christmas, business owners have a First Amendment-protected right to decorate with lights of any color. That right is not extended to the street trees. Trueblood said the mature trees have substantial branches for hanging something lit, but a few fairly young trees have smaller branches not yet strong enough for hanging ornaments. A member expressed concern about a possible negative effect of lights on pollinators and birds. Member Casey Collins said pollinators are usually on trees during the day. Tesoro said she can research that. A member said she has read that butterflies raised inside a house could not find their way outside. Others said these trees are downtown and some lights in the trees would not be significant additional light. There was a suggestion to place timers on the long-term lights in the trees to turn them off at midnight. Motion: Collins moved to approve the installation of solar lights on downtown trees with the parameters set forth at the meeting. Harris seconded. Vote: Unanimous 5. Discuss recommendations for plantings at Murray Street Park Trueblood asked the board for recommendations. One set of steps is being removed in the park. The idea was to reduce mowing operations in that area. Trueblood took note of the suggestions, which included: native grasses on the slope like panicum and splitbeard bluestem, with some beautyberry and sweetspire shrubs; basswood, tulip, sourwood, sassafrass, deciduous holly, and fig trees (possibly donated); blueberries, elderberry, milkweed, and mountain mint. No action was taken. 6. Tree planting climate change initiative continued Trueblood reported that she had presented the preliminary plan to the Parks and Recreation Board the previous evening. That board asked her to convey that the column formation for tree planting was important to show intentionality and that the trees should be limbed up over time so people can walk among them. The small grassy area by the restrooms at Gold Park cannot be planted with trees because the Parks and Recreation Board wants to install inclusive play equipment there. Collins reviewed the plans, which she had drawn. Her cost estimate includes installation and an estimate on irrigation costs. Trueblood expects the plantings to take place in stages. There is a possibility of partnering with the Stormwater and Environmental Services Division for some funding. Motion: Member Tim Logue moved to approve the general plan for reforestation at designated areas on grids presented in the concept plan and to recognize this project as a top priority for the Tree Board to replace lost tree canopy and as a climate change initiative. Collins seconded. Vote: Unanimous Tree Board Minutes | 3 of 3 7. Annual election of officers Motion: Logue moved to re-elect Lewis as chair and Harris as vice chair for one year. Collins seconded. Vote: Unanimous 8. Updates A. Hillsborough Garden Club Lewis shared some upcoming events. B. Bee City Subcommittee Simon reported the Bee City subcommittee will be writing articles to submit to The News of Orange County in 2020. She continues to work with the Xerxes Society on a brochure article that highlights Hillsborough’s Bee City initiatives. C. Staff and board updates The meeting took a break at roughly 10:25 a.m. with plans to resume at Murray Street Park at 11 a.m. for the Arbor Day Celebration. 9. Arbor Day Celebration 2019 Mayor Tom Stevens read the Arbor Day Proclamation. Volunteers planted a pawpaw tree at Murray Street Park in observance of Arbor Day 2019. 10. Adjournment Lewis adjourned the meeting after the tree planting at around 11:15 a.m.