Landscape & Design Committee

CITY OF CORTLAND LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN COMMISSION Minutes - October 11, 2023 4:00 p.m. at City Hall - Mayor’s Conference Room Present: Mike Dexter (chair), Paul Paradine, Theresa Quail, Diane Batzing Consulting Arborist: Jim Maloney (National Grid) Guests: Jan Brath (landscape architect, Fisher Associates), Mayor Scott Steve, Nic Dovi (DPW) Approve September 13, 2023 Minutes: Theresa Quail, 1st; Mike Dexter, 2nd Main St. Tree Planting Plans • Jan Brath of Fisher Associates in Ithaca addressed the commission about the tree species planned for Main St. next spring. • Concern about an initial plan for the Autumn Blaze maple was happily dismissed as an oversight. Multistem maples in planters will be planted, with 8” of stone, 23”-36” of planting medium, an under drain, and 6’ over low space. • Because of our concern over the sparse limb structure of the Espresso Kentucky coffee tree, possible substitutions were discussed. • Jim Maloney and Paul Paradine mentioned concern about Cortland’s soil for the chinkapin oak and suggested planting sawtooth oaks or hackberries. • Mr. Brath spoke about many of the planting features, including the plan for 12”-24” of structural soil, subsurface tree anchors to direct the roots, and larger (60”) metal grates stamped with “City of Cortland” from a Syracuse company. Triple ground local mulch will be used; weed barrier will not be used because weeds tend to grow on top of this. • Nic Dovi spoke about the possible decision to remove the ive pear trees in the pocket park. They will be removed because of their deteriorating condition; however, just three trees will be replaced because those on the west end of the row would create problems due to grading height. We will discuss an appropriate replacement species. Spring 2024 Tree Planting Program Planning • 30 trees have been ordered from Schichtel’s Nursery; 4 tall trees are still available; 1 underwire tree request is on the waiting list. • Jim Maloney and Nic Dovi have provided the ash tree removal list. • Comm. Batzing has asked Aspinall’s Nursery in Chittenango for Ruby Red chestnut availability. This is a highly requested species. • Mayor Steve acknowledged that the City will cover the cost of the 2024 trees ($3997) plus the required stakes ($500). NYS-DEC Inventory and Management Plan Grant Status • NYS-DEC director, Gloria VanDuyne said the awards will be announced in August or September; however, the awards have not yet been announced. Recent Tree Concerns/Notes • Clinton Ave. right-of-way weeds: Several property owners have removed the weeds, but many ROWs are still unsightly. Comm. Paradine is concerned about the question of whom is responsible for ROW ownership. f f • Comm. Paradine related recent contributions NYSEG is providing for the City: Cayuga Landscape is doing fall cleanup for the Charles St. brown ield property; removal of a dead tree on Charles St.; Elm St. and Homer Ave. work. • The Cortland Soil and Water Conservation District has planted an additional six trees at the Water Works. Other • Jim Maloney spoke about his and National Grid arborist Tim Ticknor’s work with SUNY botanist Steve Broyles’ tree ID class. They are working on developing a Cortland tree inventory and have covered wards 1, 2 and 3 using iTree models. Next meeting: November 8, 2023 at 4 p.m. Mayor’s Conference Room, City Hall f