Tree Board

Tree Board minutes 09/28/20 Morgantown Tree Board (MTB) Minutes, meeting of September 28, 2020 Via conference call, 4:30 PM 1. ATTENDANCE: MTB members Dan Brown, Matt Cummons, Greg Dahle, Donna Marie Foster, Secretary Jon Weems, Chair Dave Barnett, and Urban Landscape Director Marchetta Maupin. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: D. Brown moved, and G. Dahle seconded, that the minutes of the May 2, 2020 meeting be approved as amended. J. Weems moved, and D. Brown seconded, that the minutes of the August 17, 2020 meeting be approved as amended. Both motions passed unanimously. 3. REPORT FROM M. MAUPIN: The revised Tree Ordinance, including a reduced MTB size deemed advisable after recent resignations, was said to be on City Council’s agenda for the following night’s meeting. D. Barnett was planning to attend. Other matters included an order of 9 trees for planting, the sending of hazard tree letters to property owners responsible for removing those trees, tightened budgets because of reduced revenue during the pandemic, and beaver damage to trees at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A. White Park. D. Foster thanked those who had helped with site work to locate 13 large trees, 14 medium or small size trees, and other vegetation in the area disturbed during pipeline construction. The possibility of planting 3 large caliper trees along the Mississippi St. side was discussed. B. Ice Rink Plan. The plant list was being rethought. C. Arbor Day. The date of October 17, or 18th in the event of rain on the 17th, was selected for a 4th St. planting to include thornless honeylocusts, tree lilacs, and/or a kwanzan cherry. D. Barnett was to check on the availability of WV Urban Forestry Coordinator Bob Hannah. Advance work was to include stump removal by backhoe and digging of trees to be planted. 6. NEW BUSINESS: A. 430 Spruce St. Master Plan. The plan presented to the Urban Landscape Commission (ULC), including parking, a mini-park, and the planting of 8 to 10 trees, was reviewed. G. Dahle and others expressed concern that the shown tree lawn along the parking lot appeared inadequate, and that a width of 8 or 9 feet was needed for large shade tree health with minimal root damage to pavement. 7. OPEN DISCUSSION: The possible marking for removal of invasive trees along the riverfront was discussed. MTB members had done similar work along the wharf district riverfront years earlier, the main problem having been the steepness of the ground. 8. NEXT MEETING: Anticipated to be either a joint meeting with the ULC at a date and  Tree Board minutes 09/28/20 time to be determined, or a regular MTB meeting October 26. 9. ADJOURN: D. Brown moved, and G. Dahle seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion passed at 5:39. Respectfully submitted, ______________________ Jon Weems, Secretary