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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. TREE BOARD MINUTES | 2 of 3 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. TREE BOARD MINUTES | 3 of 3 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