Tree Board

MTB 9/22/14 1 Morgantown Tree Board (MTB) Minutes, meeting of September 22, 2014 Present: MTB members Dan Brown, Dave Barnett, Jack Cumming, Katherine Payne, Secretary Jon Weems, and Chair Kara Hurst, city employee Marchetta Maupin, BOPARC Director Melissa Burch, and City Manager Jeff Mikorski The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:36 PM in City Council chambers and noted that a quorum was present. D. Barnett moved, and D. Brown seconded, that minutes of the 6/23/14 meeting be approved without amendment. The motion carried unanimously. Old Business 1. Deckers Creek trees at Marilla Park/WV Radio Corporation (WVRC). It was noted that any tree damage from heavy pruning of large trees, and associated activities, might not be apparent for years. J. Mikorski reported on a meeting with Gary Mertins of WVRC at which J. discussed MTB’s decision to agree to the heavy pruning WVRC desires if WVRC pays for the work and accepts liability for damage. G. Mertins reportedly indicated WVRC would need a reasonably short time limit on any liability. There followed a discussion of how to assess tree damage, the window of time in which damage would likely become evident, and possible valuation and bonding of trees. There was general agreement that a five-year limit of liability would be workable. It was also pointed out that a list of plants to add under the sycamores would be needed, as pruning will admit more light to the understory. D. Barnett will contact Vaike Haas in this regard. MTB thanked J. Mikorski, who then left. 2. Arbor Day. M. Maupin reported that she has the trees for Saturday’s planting, including a potted maple from Mt. Zion Nursery, a few smallish dogwoods, and a large Kwanzan cherry supplied by Bob Hannah. The plan is for public works to dig or start holes with an auger. K. Hurst said she would contact the Dominion-Post. Mayor Selin is expected to be on hand to read the proclamation at the downtown planting at 9:00. M. Maupin and assistant William Breiding plan to load trees. Volunteer Joe Morris is expected to help plant the cherry at the Junior and Kiwanis triangle after completion of the downtown planting and ceremony. 3. Interest Group/Volunteers and Activities Related to Trees. Nothing to report. K. Hurst will contact V. Haas about this matter. 4. Bartlett Tree Experts proposals. The proposal to treat for emerald ash borer (EAB) was discussed. Concern was expressed about the continuing cost of a treatment that will need to be repeated every two years. It was decided that the higher priority should go to funding the two pruning proposals for $3168 and $2376, for a total of $5544. New Business 1. Special meeting with BOPARC ré Jack Roberts Park trees. M Burch seemed open to the possibility of BOPARC sharing the cost of pruning. She indicated this would be  MTB 9/22/14 2 on the agenda for BOPARC’s October meeting. She said BOPARC might be interested in paying to have the very large sycamore pruned. 2. Site visit. It was agreed that a site visit to consider specific trees on Walnut and Pleasant Streets would immediately follow the adjournment. Open Discussion. Topics discussed included the possibility of closing a section of the Deckers Creek rail-trail during pruning. M. Maupin noted that some pruning of trees near the Marilla Park tennis courts is needed. There followed a brief discussion of the amount of pruning required by Mon Power. City Council Report (Councilor Ganz). None presented. D. Barnett moved, and D. Brown seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried unanimously at 5:42 PM. __________________________________ Jon Weems