Landscape & Design Committee

CITY OF CORTLAND LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES – March 14, 2019 Mayor’s Conference Room at 4:00 p.m. Members Present: Mike Dexter (Chair), Theresa Quail, Paul Paradine, Diane Batzing Consultant Arborist: Jim Maloney Approve Minutes: Comm. Quail, 1st; Comm. Paradine, 2nd SUNY Cortland Tree Canopy Project Melinda Shimizu was unable to attend today’s meeting, but Comm. Batzing described the program that the geography professor and her students would like to commence. She has received a grant to use the current master tree list where all tree lottery and tree program trees have been planted, dating back to 1989. Since being planted, some trees have died or have been removed, so her students will indicate as such on her survey. Prof. Shimizu has met with Prof. Steve Broyles, botanist at SUNY Cortland and author of our current whole city tree survey; he will assist in identifying tree species. May 2019 Tree Planting Program • Comm. Batzing presented the finalized planting list and noted the waiting list. • Schichtel’s Nursery has tagged fifteen 6’ concolor trees for the Church St. median, but we are looking for some taller trees. Jim Maloney will check on tree availability at Aspinall’s Nursery in Chittenago. • Linda Armstrong at Thoma Development has been working on the DEC grant match paperwork for the 2018 planting program. Because Schichtel’s Nursery requires verification of expected payment for the 2019 trees, and because we have not yet received the DEC match monies, Thoma has agreed to make the payment until the City receives the DEC reimbursement. Recent Tree Concerns/Notes • Comm. Dexter and Jim Maloney pruned the Arbor Day Heritage elm at the Cortland Diner today. The iron grate will need to be removed because the tree’s diameter is enlarging. • Jim has noted improper pruning by National Grid on Central Ave. He will have the tree removed, with permission, and a replacement tree added to the list. Other • Arbor Day tree planting: Comm. Quail will contact Cortland High School to seek interest in attending the observance and proclamation, as well as participating in the educational component required for the DEC grant. • Jim Maloney served as the interim director for National Grid’s 10,000 Trees and Growing Program in which municipalities receive $50 for each small tree that is planted beneath the power lines. Dwayne Dickenson in now in charge of the position. Linda Armstrong has submitted the 2018 tree list for $1500! • Comm. Paradine will accept Cortland’s Tree City USA award and materials in Albany on March 21st. • Jim Maloney noted that National Grid will remove six trees on the south side of Clinton Ave. All trees on the north side will need to be removed for water line replacement for the Clinton Ave. project. It appears there is not a plan for tree replacement; Comm. Paradine will access the Ithaca process for assuring that a plan is in place with Commission guidance. Next Meeting: May 9, 2019 – 4 p.m. - Mayor’s Conference Room Respectfully, Comm. Batzing CITY OF CORTLAND LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN COMMISSION Agenda– April 11, 2019 Mayor’s Conference Room at 4:00 p.m. 1. Approve March 10, 2019 Minutes 2. Finalize May 2019 Tree Planting Program 3. Recent Tree Concerns/Notes 4. Other