Tree Board Regular Meeting

Minutes TREE BOARD Regular meeting 9 a.m. April 16, 2025 Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Present: Chair Tim Logue, Matthew Archibald, Brian Mayell, Mixon Nelson, and Gregory Yavelak Absent: Vice Chair Thomas Darling and Linda Paynter Staff: Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood 1. Call to order, roll call and confirmation of quorum Chair Tim Logue 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: Member Gregory Yavelak moved to approve. Member Brian Mayell seconded. Vote: 4-0. Motion passed. Matthew Archibald arrived at 9:03 a.m. 3. Minutes review and approval Mayell clarified that in the March 19, 2025 minutes, on page 2, Item # 3 should state “bare root” instead of ”live stakes.” Motion: Mayell moved approval of the March 19, 2025, minutes with the change. Yavelak seconded. Vote: 5-0. Motion passed. 4. Discussion items A. Prohibited and Recommended Plant (PRP) List and stormwater requirements in Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) with Stormwater and Environmental Services Manager Terry Hackett Trueblood introduced Hackett and explained Mayell has been leading the project. Then, Hackett described the stormwater division’s practices regarding the town’s prohibited and recommended plant list with developers. Trueblood explained the UDO regulates non-single family home site developers. Hackett continued, the stormwater department’s purpose is to manage the town’s stormwater utility and the town’s stormwater discharge permit, including Stormwater Control Measures (SCM). He noted many plants on the Tree Board’s proposed plant list overlap with SCM’s list except for a few non-native plants used for erosion control purposes. Based on state control of development and stormwater regulations, Trueblood said, incentivizing green infrastructure is the most effective way to control development plantings. The board’s PRP List will be part of 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 the incentives. Hackett stated, the stormwater department combined plant lists for bioretention, wet ponds, wetlands, riparian buffers and state recommendation lists. Mayell stated he has a draft list built on Member Linda Paynter’s compilation. The list is a recommendation and can be a resource for the public. Hackett underscored the need for consistency between the board and the department’s plant lists. Trueblood told the board, consultants from the UDO rewrite will use the board’s list. B. Riverwalk Master Plan: Review Urban Forest Plan and segments map Trueblood reported the Parks and Recreation Park is in the process of creating a Riverwalk Master Plan and conveyed, the Tree Board will be involved in the creation. In 2015, the North Carolina Forest Service Orange County office created an Urban Forest Plan for Riverwalk. The board discussed recreational access to the Eno River and flood plains along Riverwalk Park. They also discussed collaboration between the Parks and Recreation Board and Tree Board on the master plan. Matthew Archibald left at 10:22 a.m. 5. Updates A. Invasive Species Removal Team Logue reported the team has begun its summer schedule. Mayell reported, the master gardeners managing the Gold Park garden consented to removing invasive species in the garden. Also, Logue reported, Bill Dunson, a retired Penn State Ecology Professor wants to host a walk along Riverwalk Park highlighting the restoration project. It will be publicized by the Eno River Association. Motion: Mayell motioned to approve the May 4, 2025, Nature Walk as a Tree Board sponsored event. Member Mixon Nelson seconded. Vote: 4-0. Motion passed. B. Garden Club Trueblood stated, the Garden Club updates were shared via email. C. Staff: Trueblood reported: • Logue volunteered to assist Tom Darling at the Tree Board’s table for Earth Evening on April 25, 2025. • The Earth Evening will culminate the Climate Challenge. • The town passed a native plants resolution. • National Pollinator Week planning will begin in May. 6. Adjournment Logue adjourned the meeting at 11:04 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Stephanie Trueblood  TREE BOARD MINUTES | 3 of 3 Public Space and Sustainability Manager Staff support to the Tree Board Approved: May 21, 2025