Tree Board Regular Meeting

Minutes TREE BOARD Regular meeting 9 a.m. Aug. 21, 2024 Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Chair Linda Paynter, Thomas Darling, Brian Mayell and Gregory Yavelak Absent: Mixon Nelson and Jon Simpson Staff: Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood 1. Call to order, roll call and confirmation of quorum Chair Linda Paynter called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. 2. Agenda changes and approval There were no changes to the agenda Motion: Chair Linda Paynter moved to approve the agenda. Member Thomas Darling seconded. Vote: 4-0. 3. Minutes review and approval Minutes from regular meeting on May 15, 2024. Darling noted in the May 15, 2024, item 4.a. should have stated ”Member Thomas Darling reported on a successful evening.” Motion: Darling moved approval of the May 15, 2024, minutes as submitted. Member Gregory Yavelak seconded. Vote: 4-0 4. Discussion items A. Review Tree Board Brochures The board reviewed edits to the brochure. Trueblood acknowledged the board’s accomplishment on completing the brochure. staff will distribute them around town. B. Review Prohibited and Recommended Plant List Paynter acknowledged Brian Mayell’s contributions. Working on the prohibited list, Yavelak discussed his findings. The board discussed approaches to recommendations on potentially invasive species, such as pigmy bamboo. Trueblood reminded the board, the list is for the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), not individual homeowners. Paynter asked for additional board member assistance with the prohibited plants spreadsheet. The board suggested creating a subcommittee. Tim Logue noted to include Member Mixon Nelson. Mayell elected to coordinate future subcommittee meetings. 101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278 919-732-1270 | www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov TREE BOARD MINUTES | 1 of 3  TREE BOARD MINUTES | 2 of 3 C. Elect Vice Chair After discussion, the board selected Darling as the new Vice Chair. Motion: Paynter moved to elect Thomas Darling to Vice Chair. Yavelak seconded. Vote: 4-0 5. Tree Board related reports A. Garden Club Acknowledging the board would benefit from a Garden Club contact, Trueblood will request communication between the board and the Garden Club. Also, this is the Garden Club’s 100-year anniversary. B. Invasive Species Removal Team Tim Logue updated that the plantings along the Eno River have been successful. Also, he reported the owners of Bellevue Mill have not granted the team access to treat Japanese knotweed outside of the easement. Trueblood reminded the team that the easement can be treated by the town. Upcoming treatment plans were created to coordinate with Utility System Superintendent Joel Lashley, and Trueblood suggested filming a video on the dangers of Japanese knotweed. Team workdays will resume after a summer pause, and Trueblood will provide a press release to advertise the workdays. Logue has begun to treat Ailanthus along the Eno River. 6. Staff Trueblood reported: • The town lost several trees in tropical storm Debby. • The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been contacted numerous times regarding the dying sycamore tree on Churton Street. • An Integrated Pest Management and Vegetative Management Plan will be presented to the town board in the late fall 2024, and Tree Board suggestions are appreciated. • The Skate Spot will have a grand opening September 28, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The Skate Spot will need input from the board in coordination with Stormwater and Environmental Services Manager Terry Hackett for future plantings. • There are new interpretive signs at the King's Highway Park about constructed wetlands and Cate’s Creek Park about green infrastructure. • The Ridgewalk Phase II study is complete and will be shared with the Parks and Recreation Board and the town board. • The train station is still in the permitting phase. • A contractor was hired to maintain the garden at Turnip Patch Park. • The town is addressing complaints due to fiber installation in Cornwallis Hills and property maintenance in Waterstone. 7. Adjournment Paynter adjourned the meeting at 10:22 a.m. Respectfully submitted,  TREE BOARD MINUTES | 3 of 3 Stephanie Trueblood Public Space and Sustainability Manager Staff support to the Tree Board Approved: September 18, 2024