Tree Board

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD City Hall - Council Chambers | 160 Sixth Avenue E. | Hendersonville, NC 28792 Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – 2:00 PM MINUTES MEMBERS IS ATTENDANCE: MAC BRACKET, JANET THEEW, GLEN LANGE, DEBBIE ROUNDTREE MEMEMBRS NOT IN ATTENDENCE: BECCA DOLL, JOE PEISO, WILL COFFEE 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion to Approve: Glenn Lange Second: Mary Davis 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. August 15, 2023 Tree Board Minutes Motion to Approve: Glenn Lange Second: Mary Davis 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Public Relations Update – Mary Jo Padgett REPORT TO: Hendersonville Tree Board FROM: Mary Jo Padgett, PR Consultant RE: Publicity Report for Sept. Board meeting DATE: Sept. 19, 2023 Publicity/ events since last board meeting -- Tree Walk in August – I assisted with the Guided Tree Walk on Main St. on Aug. 20. About 15 attendees enjoyed the walk at no charge. Leatherwood’s long-time assistant Joe Weaver came along, several board members attended, and volunteer photographer Ken Fitch joined me in taking photos during the event. TREE BOARD – September 19, 2023 Page | 1 PR on new Pollinator Bed on Four Seasons Blvd. – a news release was written and sent to media (TB members received an email copy of the release at the time). Coverage about the planting was seen in the Times-News and Hendersonville Lightning. WHKP interviewed Mark S. about it. I visited the Environmental Sustainability Board meeting in Aug.— to introduce myself as a helper in publicity efforts for the Bee City USA – Hendersonville educational projects they will be doing in partnership with the Tree Board’s planting projects related to Bee City USA program. I also attended the City’s announcement event for the Brooklyn Creek stream restoration project on Sept. 9 at Sullivan Park and visited the Brooklyn Community Garden site there, which is being developed with assistance from the Tree Board. Next spring I will send out publicity on that project – which is part of the Bee City USA – Hendersonville program. PR on September’s Monarch Migration Month activities – I edited and sent to media the calendar of events that Friends of Bee City USA had developed for Monarch Migration events during Sept. (The news release was sent to TB members at the time.) The information was published in Hendersonville Lightning, WTZQ Qmunnity calendar, and several digital calendars. Updated the Tree Board brochure and had copies made -- The Tree Board closed the Tree Board Fund at the Henderson County Community Foundation some months ago and references to that in the Tree Board brochure needed to be removed. I have copies of the new version with me. Please take some to distribute. If you need brochures at any time, contact me. I always have copies. Assisted T-N reporter with article on the City’s Tree City USA and Growth Awards -- The reporter asked questions which I assisted in finding the answers and I provided photos. This article appeared on the front page of the Times-News on Fri., Sept. 15. Here is the link to the article: https://hendersonvilletimesnews- nc.newsmemory.com/?token=6fbd3ba9e0e1e6e4d1e4376db5e2f5b3&cnum=283f3ad5-8e66-43f6-a649- 2c50f97ad997&fod=1111111STD-0&selDate=20230917&licenseType=paid_subscriber& Assisted with TB letter to Garden Jubilee vendors re: request to sell native and non-invasive plants at the 2024 event. Upcoming Calendar of Events -- HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD CALENDAR 2023 TREE BOARD – September 19, 2023 Page | 2 Mid-Aug.-Oct. 20 – Symbolic Monarch Migration. Bee City USA-Hendersonville invites local classrooms, youth organizations, and individual students to join this international program. September – Monarch Migration Month. A number of events are scheduled during the month to celebrate the monarch migration, including school programs sponsored by Bee City USA. Saturday, Sept. 30 – Flock to the Rock at Chimney Rock Park. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The City has been invited to host a Bee City USA tent or table at this event. The event, now in its 15th year, focuses on birding, but also includes discussion of Monarch migration and other pollinator information, as CRP is an official monarch waystation. The Symbolic Monarch Migration, which will be going on in Henderson County schools during this same time period, can also be promoted. Volunteer Patrice German is going and has asked for other volunteers to help her out at the Hendersonville Bee City USA table. Saturday, October 7 – Farm-City Day, Jackson Park. Bee City USA will participate. Need to confirm with ESB that they are doing this outreach project. The TB can provide TB brochures, tent, and TB banner. October 1-14 – NeighborWoods planting projects. 9th Avenue West homeowners, Henderson Village, Blue Ridge Villas, Park Place, Druid Hills neighborhood. A total of 62 trees, including dogwoods, redbuds, sweetbay and saucer magnolias, serviceberry, crabapple, and red oak will be planted at those locations. November ? – Greenspace Enhancement Projects Walkabout. Mark Stierwalt will lead an exploration stroll along the projected Oklawaha Greenway extension into a greenspace area being developed as a future park. Already graced with two ponds teaming with wildlife, healthy trees, and pollinator-friendly meadows, the future greenspace will be introduced. Open to the public at no charge. B. Conditional Zoning Districts – None 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Tree Board Ordinance Revision Committee Update – Glenn Lange Next meeting is 10/3/2023 at 9:30 in City Hall Duke Energy representative will give a presentation. Planning Department has requested a 10% variance administration override. Discussion of canopy percentage versus basal or DBH upcoming. If a % of canopy is chosen as the main form of regulation it would likely vary according to zoning district and parking lot requirements and other tree specific regulations would still be required. TREE BOARD – September 19, 2023 Page | 3  Max value of amount of trees per acre was discussed and an analysis of other city’s max value will be presented. A percentage of tax value of a property was mentioned. B. Tree Canopy Study – The first draft has been received and staff comments were returned C. Pollinator Bed - Hwy 64 East – Invitation for bids has been submitted to Procurement and Legal Departments for review. D. NeighborWoods & Other Tree Planting Projects for 2023 Most trees have been ordered and should arrive the first and second weeks of October. All of the NeighborWoods trees planted in 2023 will be dedicated to Mac Brackett for his 23 years of service to the Hendersonville Tree Board. An Oak tree will also be planted in Clear Creek Park with a dedication plaque. E. Bee City – Friends of Bee City will attend Flock to the Rock in Chimney Rock State Park. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. Staff Comments – Joe Peiso has resigned from the Tree Board due to scheduling conflicts with work. There are now two vacancies B. Back to School Fest – Tree Board would like to have a larger volunteer presence at the Back to School Fest in 2024. C. Utility Update- N/A 7. ADJOURNMENT The City of Hendersonville is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs and services for all people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Should you need assistance or an accommodation for this meeting please contact the City Clerk no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting at 697-3005. TREE BOARD – September 19, 2023 Page | 4