Shade Tree Board

TREECin'USK Shade Tree Board Meeting Tuesday, June 28, 2016@ 12:00 pm Municipal Annex Conference Room Members Present (6): Amy Banks, George Poe Jr, Ken Webb, Dale Hughes, Milan Blake, Will Jones Members absent (3): Dennis Epperson, Matt Coleman, Jo Benjamin, John Thomason Others In Attendance (2): Dan Hartman and Karen Stovall. called Meeting to Order Amy Banks called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Waive Reading of Minutes George Poe made a motion to approve the March 22, 2016 meeting minutes. Milan Blake seconded the motion. All in favor. None Opposed. Motion carries. Urban Forestry Report - Dan Hartman 19 trees were planted, 56 were trimmed, 14 were removed. A complete copy of his report can be seen in his hand-out. th There is a silver maple tree at 14 /Wiggins SE that will have to be removed. It is dying, has a hollow spot in the bottom. In regard to the Greenway extension, Dan's gotten everything out that needed to come out, Public Works has pushed dirt in, you can see a dirt path there now and it appears ready for gravel now. OLD BUSINESS Newspaper Article Assignments Amy Banks stated that Will Jones' article about crepe myrtles was great. She said she will get an article written for July and welcomed any suggestions if anyone has something they'd like to see an article on. Larry Armour/industrial site Dan Hartman stated that he wanted to invite Mr. Armour to the July 26 meeting to bring in plans and explain what is happening at the industrial site. Will Jones stated that he is meeting with him later today and will invite him. Milan Blake said he's noticed a lot of stuff being burned over there and inquired if anyone knows what that is. Ken Webb stated they harvested timber and he believes they are burning the leftovers from that and cleaning up brush. Cleveland Shade Tree Logo Milan Blake spoke to Melissa Adams about getting high school students to design a logo, but it was a very busy time at the schools. He can check with her again in the fall or we can go another way. Will Jones said he works with a graphic artist that could work something up. Amy Banks said that would be great and asked that he have them incorporate the "3 P's" (Plant, Protect, Preserve). Articles to frame Amy Banks stated that we really want to promote and show things that are going on, maybe hang some things in City Hall, the library, and such. Dan stated that he spoke to Andy at the library and he has a temporary area that could be used around Arbor Day, but no space for anything permanent. Amy stated that the Arbor Day photo that ran in the paper was in black and white, fuzzy, and wasn't noticeable. George Poe said maybe we could talk to the newspaper about re-running the photo. NEW BUSINESS Growth Award Dan Hartman stated that we received the Growth Award for 2015. He submitted items so that we could receive the award, which is given for those that go over and above normal day-to-day activities. There is a maple leaf hanging outside the Mayor's office and there is a pin on that to show that we received the award. Amy Banks said she would like to see the Arbor Day photo re-ran in color in the newspaper along with an article promoting the Growth Award. Dan stated he would work on that article. Dog Park's new large trees Amy Banks stated there are some large red maples that look distressed. Dan said they are being watered every day. Trees down Keith Street/condition Dan Hartman stated that two of the sweetgum trees are completely brown, but the bark is still green and if they can get enough water, they may be able to save them. There are five that have partial dead spots and they will have to work long and hard to bring them back, but they may end up having to be replaced in the fall. They have watered and watered them, but it's just been too hot, too dry, and there is a lot of concrete surrounding them and it reflects a lot more heat than the ones on N. Lee. Tree bench/2nd runner up big tree nd Amy Banks stated that the 2 runner up in the Big Tree contest was a split-trunk tree, which is now deceased, on Centenary. The Jones Foundation is getting ready to make it into a bench. Crepe Myrtle beds/trash/Worth Street Amy Banks stated she's had calls about this location, particularly the area around the phone company, and there's an unbelievable amount of trash there. Maybe if we could dress it out, maybe mulch? George Poe stated he's also had calls, believes people run into it with their cars and have made a mud hole out of it. Dan Hartman stated he will talk to Tommy Myers at Public Works about putting in a curb. Master list of markers for trees that Jones Foundation planted Dan Hartman said there isn't a master list, but Kevin Stewart knows where they all are because he put them all out, he will have him make a list. Amy Banks stated yes, let's do that and keep it somewhere because someday when the grass grows, those markers will be gone. Reports from Members Arnold School trees/flagpole Dan Hartman stated there was concern about two trees that were encroaching on the flagpole, preventing it from flying. He spoke with Hal Taylor (over maintenance at the school) and he just wanted to trim them. They tried that and it didn't make sufficient room for the flag to fly, so they believe they will need to cut those two trees that are sandwiching the flagpole. Exit25work Ken Webb asked about Exit 25 work and what will be done with that when it's finished, there are crepe myrtles out there that are about to be overtaken by vines and junipers in the median. Dan Hartman stated the junipers will come out, they are only there now to hide the guardrail. The hillside will be dressed up nicely. Ken inquired about what will be between the turn lane to turn right onto Georgetown Road and the new wall and stated the wall looks great. Dale Hughes stated that we're putting up signage much like Chattanooga that will say "Cleveland" across the top of the wall and it will look very nice, that the area could be a showpiece, but TOOT doesn't mow it enough. Ken stated it would be a nice location for some smaller trees in front of that wall. Crepe Myrtles Dale Hughes asked if the crepe myrtles at Mayfield are doing alright. Dan Hartman stated they are, that crepe myrtles are very resilient. They need to be trimmed, but he doesn't want to trim on them too much until it cools down. Amy Banks asked about the crepe myrtles on N. Ocoee Street. Dan stated that the crew is coming through and those will be trimmed by the July meeting. Temporary meeting relocation George asked if tree board could meet in the council room next door for the hotter months, since it's cooler in that room. Ken stated if the council room is booked, they have a training room at Cleveland Utilities we can use. Mouse Creek area Ken Webb stated we have added several cherry trees around the detention tank on Mouse Creek Road and it has improved the look of that area. No further business, meeting was adjourned at 12:45pm.