Tree & Landscape Board

Approved: 11/14/18 Minutes of the Tree and Landscape Board Davis Hall, City of College Park October 24, 2018 Term Exp. Members Present Absent N/A Brenda Alexander, Public Works Assistant Director 11/30/2018 John Krouse, Member 04/30/2019 John Lea-Cox, City Forester 08/30/2017 Christine O’Brien, member 01/2019 Janis Oppelt/Chair and CBE Representative 10/31/19 James Meyer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A Carleveva Thompson, Contract Secretary Guest Denise Mitchell, City Councilmember Ms. Oppelt called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. 1. Visit from Councilmember Denise Mitchell re: Committee on Committees Ms. Mitchell stated the Council was given a goal to review the current City committees and ensure they are focusing on the current mission of the City. Ms. Mitchell presented to the Board how the Committee on Committees reviewed the descriptions of each committee and provided the following recommendation with regards to TLB: TLB and CBE overlap as both include beautification in their mission. TLB appears to have a greater focus on the health and well-being of trees and review of commercial landscaping plans. The TLB serves as the Tree Board, a requirement of the Tree City USA designation. Recommend continuing utilization of TLB for policy advisory purposes and commercial landscaping review as stated in the code. The Board discussed the recommendation and felt the CBE and TLB are executing different missions. The Board discussed the following recommendations: • The Council should review and acknowledge receipt of Committee minutes, so they can be informed of the recommendations or issues presented by TLB. • TLB should provide the City Manager with action items that need to be brought to the attention of the Council. • It was suggested that a Councilmember attend TLB meetings. • The planning representative was removed from TLB, so the Board has limited knowledge of City planning projects. TLB requests the City planning representative to be re-instated per the City Code. • TLB needs more representation from all City Districts as the current members only represent District 1 and 2. 2. Approval of September Meeting Minutes: The minutes of the September 19, 2018 meeting were reviewed and minor edits were made. 1  Motion: Adopt September meeting minutes with corrections. Moved: Ms. Oppelt Second: Ms. O’Brien Aye: Unanimous Nay: 0 Abstain: 0 3. Public Works Department Report: Ms. Alexander shared the following highlights: • Contract tree work awarded to Excel and they have started tree removals and pruning in the City. • Fall pansies and bulbs were delivered and will be installed by the end of the week. • 29 replacement trees delivered and will be installed in the coming weeks. • One new laborer on the landscape crew started last week and another laborer to start next week. Interviews to begin soon for another laborer. • Curbside leaf collection will start November 5th. • The dead trees at Duvall were removed and replaced. • Received two TCEP applications this week. 4. CBE Report: Ms. Oppelt shared the following highlights: a. Organized College Park tree workshop for Saturday, November 3rd from 10am – noon at Davis Hall. Ms. Alexander and Ms. Barth will host; a hands-on tree pruning demonstration will also be provided. b. The permaculture garden was weeded and mulched. 5. Old Business a. Arbor Day 2019 location Holy Redeemer was identified as a potential location for Arbor Day 2019. Ms. Alexander will reach out to Ms. Harrington to begin making arrangements for the event. b. Promotion for tree plantings on private land This topic was postponed to the November meeting. 6. New Business a. Brainstorm CBE and TLB tips for the Municipal Scene Ms. Oppelt asked the Board to send her useful tips that can be put in the Municipal Scene. 7. Adjournment and Next Meeting Ms. Oppelt adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm. The next meeting will be held on November 14, 2018. 2