Tree Board

Tree Board minutes 7/27/15 1 Morgantown Tree Board (MTB) Minutes, meeting of July 27, 2015 Present: MTB members Dan Brown, Greg Dahle, Secretary Jon Weems, and Chair Dave Barnett, City Council liaison Nancy Ganz, City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City employees Marchetta Maupin and Damian Davis, and guest Andy Dye. Chair D. Barnett called the meeting to order at 4:32 PM in City Council chambers and noted that a quorum was present. D. Brown moved, and G. Dahl seconded, that minutes of the 5/18/15 meeting be approved without amendment. The motion carried unanimously. Presentation: University Place Garage Landscape - Andy Dye Andy Dye explained the landscaping plan for the 500-space garage on University Ave. in Sunnyside. Plans call for retail space and landscaping on the University Ave. side only. N. Ganz expressed concern about accessibility. A. Dye expressed interest in meeting to address those concerns. Plans call for outdoor seating associated with the retail space, a three-foot-wide linear hedge/greenwall, three trees in 5x5 tree wells with grates, and later landscaping including a large tree at the north end. There will be traffic signal lights at the U. Ave./3rd St. intersection, a fire lane pullout, and a crosswalk with signal near the elevator end of the building, away from the intersection. Discussion of the landscape design and plant list resulted in no suggestion of significant changes. Discussion then shifted to the landscaping plan for the 17 town houses being built below University Place. Large shade trees, perhaps red maples, will be planted at both ends. In between, there will be rain gardens with native grasses and smaller shade trees. Zelkovas were mentioned as possible trees for the rain gardens. Unfinished Business 1. Deckers Creek Trees at Marilla Park/ WV Radio Corporation (WVRC). City Manager Mikorski reported that Dale Miller, handling this matter for WVRC now that Gary Mertins is gone, has agreed to MTB’s recommendation of large sycamore crown reduction, additional planting, and bonding in case trees need to be replanted or the stream bank needs to be restored. WVRC evidently wants MTB to call Bartlett to schedule the crown reduction. D. Barnett said he would see to this. 2. High St. Tree Curb Removal. Damian Davis said this project was about to begin with phase one, removing dead or seriously challenged trees, replanting lower in tree wells, and installing tree grates. City Manager Mikorski and Damian Davis indicated they need the High St. tree list D. Barnett had prepared for the May MTB meeting. 3. Community Forestry Ordinance. Discussion revolved around ways to coordinate with the Urban Landscape Commission (ULC). Ann Buckelew (Cumming) and Kara Hurst handled this in the past, but there is not currently anyone who sits on both the MTB and the ULC. An upcoming ULC workshop with MTB participation could help. 4. Hazard Tree Replacement Policy. City Manager Mikorski suggested a policy could be posted on the City web site for reference. D. Barnett said he would look at policies in  Tree Board minutes 7/27/15 2 other communities and try to draft one appropriate to Morgantown. 5. Paul Preserve Update/Arbor Day. M. Maupin indicated continuing interest on the part of Jerome Park residents. It was informally agreed to have the August MTB working meeting at Paul Preserve to plan for a Morgantown Arbor Day planting there. October 3 was noted as a likely date for Morgantown’s Arbor Day. 6. Demonstration City Grant Application. D. Barnett said he would send a list of jobs to City Manager Mikorski and contact Bob Hannah. 7. Richwood Ave. Trees - root conflict issues. Damian Davis reported two situations involving large, healthy trees growing in city rights of way. Number one, roots of a large spruce may be causing cracks in a garage wall. Recommended action consists of trenching and installation of a barrier to prevent future root/wall conflict. There appears to be ample space for such remediation on city property in this location. Number two, roots of a large tulip poplar appear to be cracking a drain pipe. Recommended action is similar to the first instance, except the trenching will need to occur on private property. 8. Park St. Tree Update. The property with a potentially hazardous large oak with two trunks changed hands after corrective action was begun. One cable has been installed. D. Brown noted that three cables (total) are required, preferably supplemented by two through bolts, and the cables will require annual inspection and possible replacement as needed. Damian Davis said he would send a letter to the new owners to the effect that bracing according to this plan, or in lieu of such bracing removal of the tree, is needed. New Business 1. Memorial Tree Donation Request. A New York Ave. resident has requested installation of a memorial tree, at her expense, at a certain location near One Waterfront Place. Damain Davis and M. Maupin agreed to visit the site to determine, one, if the site is on City property, and two, if the site is appropriate for a tree in terms of soil, space, and sight lines. If the answers are affirmative, the next step would be determining the cost so the potential donor can decide whether or not to proceed. 2. Wilson Ave. Oak. This very large and well-known tree, which fell recently, has been removed. There was extensive decay. No memorial slice or “tree cookie” was salvaged. 3. Other New Business. None. Open Discussion: Nothing more discussed. Next meeting, Monday, August 24, 2015, 4:30 working meeting at Paul Preserve. Motion to adjourn made at 6:22 PM by G. Dahle, seconded by D. Brown. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, ______________________ Jon Weems, Secretary