Tree Board

CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD Operations Center | 305 Williams Street | Hendersonville, NC 28792 Tuesday, April 16, 2024 – 2:00 PM MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER Members Present - Janet Thew, Mary Davis, Becca Doll, Natalie Wilcoxen, Glen Lange, and Stephen Stark Members Absent- Will Coffee 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Glenn Lange to add a discussion of proper communication techniques by the Board and it was seconded by Mary Davis. The motion was approved unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approve Minutes for February 20, 2024 A motion was made to approve the minutes by Natalie Wilcoxen and seconded by Stephen Stark. The motion was approved unanimously. B. Approve Minutes for March 19, 2024 A motion was made to approve the minutes by Becca Doll, and was seconded by Stephen Stark. The motion was approved unanimously. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. CZD Projects The City Council voted to remove the Tree Board from the CZD approval process. B. Public Relations Update - Mary Jo Pagett REPORT TO: Hendersonville Tree Board FROM: Mary Jo Padgett, PR Consultant RE: Publicity Report for April Board meeting DATE: April 16, 2024 Publicity/ events since last board meeting -- NeighborWoods Spring Planting – I sent a news release announcing this project and planting. The media responded with articles, event listings, and radio interviews. Tree Board members were sent the news release when it was distributed to media and the City website and social media. New Pollinator Trail – I’ve been working with Sustainability Superintendent Caitlyn on creating the new Pollinator Trail, a project through Bee City USA-Hendersonville (which falls TREE BOARD – April 16, 2024 Page | 1  under the Tree Board’s jurisdiction). I think we’ve finally finished it. I’m planning a guided walk along the trail in June as a Tree Board event, as well as a possible news release introducing the Pollinator Trail along with the new Pollinator Bed on U.S. 64 East near Starbucks. Bradford Pear Bounty Program – The news release I sent resulted in excellent media coverage and a healthy response from Henderson County residents. Registration slots filled up quickly. I’m supporting Mary D., overseer of this project, and plan to write a news release for the pick- up and tree exchange date of May 4. Arbor Day Celebration – A news release about for the City’s Arbor Day event on May 10 will be sent to media soon. I helped coordinate the details with Four Seasons Rotary, which has sponsored the City’s annual Arbor Day program for many years. Hendo Earth Fest – I have prepared an informative hand-out (requested by Glenn Lange) and updated the Tree Board brochure. These will be printed this week in preparation for the Tree Board table at the event on Sat., April 20. Upcoming Calendar of Events -- HENDERSONVILLE TREE BOARD CALENDAR 2024 Early April – NeighborWoods Tree Planting. This planting replaced the planting that would have occurred last autumn, which was cancelled due to extreme drought. Henderson Village, Blue Ridge Villas, Park Place, and Druid Hills neighborhood participated … a total of 62 trees, including dogwoods, redbuds, sweetbay and saucer magnolias, serviceberry, crabapple, and red oak were distributed at those locations on April 1. The trees are in honor of retired TB Chair Mac Brackett. Saturday, April 20 – Hendo Earth Fest event on Main Street. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. This is an educational event being coordinated by the Environmental and Sustainability Board for the Bee City USA-Hendersonville program. The event celebrates Earth Day, which is April 22. Tree Board members will man a booth. Natalie W. will organize a give-away event of a specimen tree to a City resident. Saturday. May 4 -- Bradford Pear Bounty Tree Exchange. 9-11 a.m. City Operations Center, 305 Williams Street. Teaming up with the NC Forest Service, NC Urban Forest Council, NC State Extension, and NC Wildlife Federation, the TB encourages Henderson County residents to properly remove and replace these invasive trees. When participants cut down their Bradford pear tree, they can receive a native tree to replace it. Participants must sign up and provide proof of removal to receive a native tree. Friday, May 10 – Arbor Day Celebration. Noon. Patton Park. An oak tree will be planted along the upper pathway to Oklawaha Greenway. Four Seasons Rotary has planned that the Mayor read a proclamation of May 10 as Arbor Day in Hendersonville. A representative of NC Forest Service will be there. Public Works staff will be on hand to assist with planting. The president and members of Four Seasons Rotary will be there. Saturday, May 25- Sunday, May 26 – Garden Jubilee. 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Hendersonville Main St. One of the largest garden shows in WNC. The TB has asked vendors to sell only native and non-invasive plants at the event. May – October? -- ESB will have a booth/table once a month at the Maple Street Farmer’s Market for the Bee City USA-Hendersonville program. During September the symbolic monarch migration project of the Bee City USA-Hendersonville will be highlighted. A TB member may provide printed copies of the “landscape species list” at that time and explain importance of Keystone Plants. June – Pollinator Month Mid-June ? – Guided Walk Along the New Pollinator Trail. Details TBA. TREE BOARD – April 16, 2024 Page | 2  Mid-Aug.- Oct. 20 – Symbolic Monarch Migration Project of Bee City USA-Hendersonville. See May-October listing for details. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. Discussion of Tree Protection During Construction Glenn Lange provided photos of various construction projects with possible construction tree protection infractions and requested city staff explain who is responsible for visiting sites and ensure proper protocols are followed. B. Tree Canopy Study and Future Goals Discussion The Board decided to hold a workshop on April 29th or May 21st to discuss and formulate recommendations based on the recent tree canopy study to present to the City Council. They requested staff arrange for the urban forester from Asheville to attend and present at the workshop. C. Urban Forestry Plan Discussion The Board decided to hold a workshop on April 29th or May 21st to discuss and formulate recommendations based on the recent Urban Forestry Plan to present to the City Council. They requested staff arrange for the Consultant who conducted an analysis of the current plan to attend and present at the workshop. D. Discussion of Ordinances The board discussed the pros and cons of the recent tree ordinance revisions. E. Bradford Pear Bounty The board directed staff to purchase additional trees to meet the demand and discussed the logistics of the event and the project. F. Earthfest The Board discussed logistics for the event. 6. OTHER BUSINESS A. NeighborWoods Update After many years of leading the NeighborWoods Program, Mac Bracket has decided to step down. Stephan Stark has volunteered to lead the program. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 pm. TREE BOARD – April 16, 2024 Page | 3 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 – April 16, 2024 Page | 4