Tree Board

Tree Board minutes 9/28/15 1 Morgantown Tree Board (MTB) Minutes, meeting of September 28, 2015 Present: MTB members Dan Brown, Greg Dahle, Dave Davis, Jack Cumming, Secretary Jon Weems, and Chair Dave Barnett, City Manager Jeff Mikorski, City employees Marchetta Maupin and Damian Davis, and MUB representative Ken Hacker. 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 7/27/15 meeting be approved without amendment. The motion carried unanimously. Introduction: Ken Hacker, MUB staff engineer K. Hacker explained about MS4 storm drain permits, which require six types of watershed protection elements. One element is trees, so MUB desires more involvement with MTB. J. Cumming suggested a possible joint MTB/MUB press release. K. Hacker mentioned the possibility of speaking with Chis Dale, and briefly discussed a review of MUB’s storm water code. City Manager Mikorski mentioned the possibility of text concerning MUB/MTB coordination becoming part of city code dealing with MTB. K. Hacker indicated that the bottom line is that he and MUB will be participating with MTB in meaningful ways. Review of 8/24/15 working meeting D. Barnett presented a brief review of the productive August working meeting at Paul Preserve, in anticipation of the Morgantown Arbor Day planting there. Update from M. Maupin ISA certified arborist Dave Mitchell was proceeding on contract with the pruning of wharf district ashes, with emerald ash borer treatment slated for May 2016. Dead trees in the Cobun/South Walnut areas were being removed. A broken Japanese tree lilac in Jack Roberts Park might be pruned rather than removed. Andy Sheets and Bob Hannah need a volunteer hour count. M. Maupin asked for MTB assessment of existing trees (lindens) and recommendations for new tree planting in the redesigned area next to the Public Safety Building. It was agreed to meet on site at 4:30 PM on October 21. Unfinished Business 1. Deckers Creek Trees at Marilla Park/ WV Radio Corporation (WVRC). City Manager Mikorski and D. Barnett noted that Bartlett’s pruning estimate was a year old. City Manager Mikorski said the bond agreement with WVRC was expected to be finalized in the following week. 2. High St. Tree Curb Removal. Damian Davis said he is looking into the possibility of using tree grates with large central openings, plus porous paving to fill the space between the inner ring of the grate and the trunk of the tree. He noted this combination has been  Tree Board minutes 9/28/15 2 used successfully elsewhere. City Manager Mikorski added that curb removal from pits with no trees in them was in the works. 3. Draft MTB Code. Discussion centered around details (“shall” or “will”), the minimum size of MTB (perhaps seven), and City Manager Mikorski’s suggestion of adding language about coordination between MTB and MUB. It was decided to table further action pending a possible joint meeting of MTB and the Urban Landscape Commission. 4. Hazard Tree Replacement Policy. No action taken. 5. Paul Preserve Arbor Day Event. This event, anticipated to be a brief ceremony and the planting of one tree with neighborhood participation, was set for 9:00 AM October 3. 6. Demonstration City Grant Application. D. Barnett noted that a site visit to consider each tree pit would be helpful, and could be part of the October 21 working meeting. 7. Memorial Tree – Waterfront Ginkgo. D. Barnett reported the planting of two ‘Princeton Sentry’ ginkgos, one to replace the vandalized ginkgo in front of the library, the other as the requested memorial tree near One Waterfront Place. New Business 1. Library Ginkgo Replacement. Note no. 7 under Old Business, above. D. Barnett and a visiting friend planted the replacement tree. 2. Waitman St. Oak. This large pin oak with structural problems has been removed. 3. Meeting Time. After brief discussion, it was decided to continue with the 4:30 meeting time for now, but to remain open to a possible change in meeting time. 4. Other New Business. None. Open Discussion: Nothing more discussed. Next meetings, two working meetings, October 3 Arbor Day 9:00 at Paul Preserve, and October 21 4:30 at the Public Safety Building. Motion to adjourn made at 6:05 PM by J. Weems, seconded by G. Dahle. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, ______________________ Jon Weems, Secretary