HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-18-2023 Minutes TRB Regular Meeting
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-1270 | www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
TREE BOARD MINUTES | 1 of 3
Minutes
TREE BOARD
Regular meeting
9 a.m. Jan. 18, 2023
Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St.
Present: Chair Casey Collins, Sharon Billings, Tim Logue, Mixon Nelson,
and Greg Yavelak
Absent: Bridget Booher Linda Paynter
Staff: Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood
1. Call to order, roll call and confirmation of quorum
Chair Casey Collins called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie
Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum.
2. Agenda changes and approval
Trueblood noted that there was an additional agenda item, which was approval of the Oct. 19, 2022, minutes.
Added item — Minutes approval from regular meeting on Oct. 19, 2022
Motion: Member Sharon Billings moved to approve the minutes as presented. Member Tim Logue
seconded.
Vote: 5-0
3. Discussion items
A. Revision to street tree planting proposal from Laura Juel at 158 W. King St.
Trueblood noted this item is revisiting Laura Juel’s request to plant three trees in the right of way at 158 W.
King St. Trueblood said NCDOT had approved the planting of three serviceberry trees in the right of way, but
Juel had given it more thought. NCDOT would need to approve changes.
Juel explained she is concerned about cedar rust and having to treat serviceberries with fungicide. She has a
large cedar tree and lives close to Cedar Walk. She does not want to use fungicides. She said the location
where she would like to plant trees is a hot spot and she will need a very hardy tree that will not get in the
way of the sidewalk.
Juel proposed planting smaller tulip poplar that would grow about 25 feet tall. This smaller variety is called
“Little Volunteer,” and it has an upright habit.
Trueblood noted that Juel and her husband are planning to buy the trees and pay for the installation. She
noted the overhead lines are cable and phone lines about 15 and 20 feet overhead.
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Motion: Logue moved to approve the amended proposal. Member Greg Yavelak seconded.
Vote: 5-0
B. Proposal from Hillsborough Pokémon Go Group to plant a memorial tree on Riverwalk
Will Davis addressed the board. He clarified he was not a member of the group but was Shara Evans’ fiancé.
He explained the group would like to plant a tree in her memory.
Trueblood said the group did not have a particular tree or location in mind.
The board suggested a black gum.
Evans said the group suggested planting a tree near the interpretive sign about habitat.
Trueblood explained that she usually gets the estimate for the plaque and then informs the person or group
who is donating the tree of the cost of the plaque.
Motion: Logue moved to approval proposal for planting of black gum tree on Riverwalk near interpretive
sign regarding habitat. Billings second.
Vote: 5-0
C. Invasive species removal planning: Fig Buttercup
Holly Reid and Rich Shaw addressed the board. They explained that they first saw the invasive fig buttercup
along Stillhouse Creek and were notified that it is an invasive plant about five years ago. They are part of a
four-county group that is working to remove this invasive species. They shared examples of public information
that other agencies have distributed.
The board expressed interest in asking the town’s communications team to help publicize efforts to remove
the invasive plant. It was decided to ask the public to contact the Public Space and Sustainability Division,
which will notify Reid and Shaw.
4. Updates
A. Garden Club
Billings gave a brief update.
B. Invasive Removal Team
Logue reported the team has planted the plants ordered through Mellow Marsh, noting that Mixon Nelson
planted most of them. The team is focused on the south bank under the bridge. Logue would like to return
focus to the English Ivy removal on the Town Hall Campus.
Trueblood is reconsidering privet removal in Gold Park and noted that the team may gain visibility if a work
day is planned when there is a Creek Week activity in Gold Park. Trueblood suggested hosting a neighborhood
competition for invasive species removals.
C. Staff
Trueblood introduced Assistant Town Manager and Community Services Director Matt Efird.
Collins excused herself from the meeting at 10:18 a.m.
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Trueblood gave updates including:
• Stream buffer plantings have taken place at Turnip Patch Park and Murray Street Park
• Bee City USA report for 2022 has been submitted to maintain the town’s status as a Bee City
• Garden Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. She is coordinating with the club’s president.
• The Parks and Recreation Board has almost finished the Gold Park Master Plan and is considering
removing the backstop and carving up the large field to create smaller activities. The board is
interested in landscaping to separate the spaces. Trueblood is interested in Tree Board input. If
basketball courts were to be built in the future, they would be built on the north side of the field.
• In February, the Tree Board will be asked to review the chapter on the environment and natural
systems.
• The Fairview Community Watch would like Tree Board assistance in landscaping in front of the
Dorothy N Johnson Community Center.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Trueblood
Public Space and Sustainability Manager
Staff support to the Tree Board
Approved: March 15, 2023