Tree Board

Tree Board minutes 06/27/16 1 Morgantown Tree Board (MTB) Minutes, meeting of June 27, 2016 Present: MTB members Jonathan Cumming, Secretary Jon Weems, and Chair Dave Barnett, City Council Liaison Nancy Ganz, and Wiles Hill resident Mindy Jamison. Chair D. Barnett called the meeting to order at 4:39 PM in the Public Safety Building conference room and noted the lack of a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, it was decided to vote for possible approval of the April 25 MTB minutes via email. No motions other than adjournment could be considered at the meeting without a quorum. D. Barnett led a discussion of written notes from City employee Marchetta Maupin, who was unable to attend the meeting. One item was the possible removal of declining and dead Norway spruces near 201 Highland in Wiles Hill. M. Jamison reported she and her husband are having the trees on their property removed. They want the City to remove the trees on the City right of way. It was agreed that the July 25 MTB “working meeting” would include a site visit to assess the situation. D. Barnett thanked M. Jamison for her attendance as she excused herself. Another item was the question of whether cutting vegetation from Burroughs Run at the Suncrest park would improve water flow and reduce flooding. It was agreed that the July 25 meeting would also include a visit to this site. Community development intern Jessica Kowal then arrived for a brief discussion of possible means of improving MTB efficiency, including interactions with the Urban Landscape Commission, software to keep track of City trees, and related matters. Unfinished Business 1. Deckers Creek Trees at Marilla Park/ WV Radio Corporation. The June site visit was well attended and positive, but a need for follow-up was noted. Friends of Deckers Creek (FODC) and Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) representatives had agreed to work jointly on streambank planting and related issues. D. Barnett said he would contact MUB/MTB liaison Ken Hacker for an update. 2. Demonstration City Grant Application. There had been an unexpected delay in obtaining information from the City for the City’s in-kind match for the grant. D. Barnett said he would check with City employee Damian Davis on this matter. 3. Arbor Day for Each Ward. D. Barnett had prepared a fact sheet and D. Brown had subsequently attended a meeting of the Neighborhood Coordinating Council (NCC) to explain and discuss MTB’s idea to celebrate Morgantown’s Arbor Day by planting a flowering dogwood in each ward of the City. D. Brown said he felt the meeting had gone well. Most wards had already selected sites, many in City parks. It was decided to try to have MTB members check sites for suitability during or near the time of the July 25 working meeting. Site considerations would include avoiding underground utilities and minimizing mowing complications caused by new trees. D. Barnett said he would check for availability of trees suitable for this event, tentatively scheduled for October 15. It was suggested that City employee Chelsi Baker and Year of the Tree holdover Alice  Tree Board minutes 06/27/16 2 Meehan might help with publicity. New Business [None] Open Discussion J. Cumming asked how MTB might expedite identification and removal of dead trees on public property. Discussion centered around tapping master naturalists, master gardeners, and other volunteers as “treekeepers” who would receive brief training/orientation from MTB and then be charged with helping track tree needs, including removals. Next meeting 4:30 PM Monday, July 25 would be a “working meeting” beginning near 201 Highlands in Wiles Hill and moving on to Burroughs Runs and other sites from there. Motion to adjourn made at 5:44 PM by J. Weems, seconded by J. Cumming. All in favor. Respectfully submitted, ______________________ Jon Weems, Secretary