Urban Landscape Commission

Morgantown Urban Landscape Commission meeting minutes, Nov. 19, 2014 Attendees: Kara Hurst, Marchetta Maupin, Kitty Lozier, Bill MacDonald, Michael Hasenmyer, Hana Tominaga, Joe Morris 1. Tominaga advocated action on sidewalk cleanliness. Maupin suggested solicitation to city via Request Partner System. Hurst suggested drafting a proposal for the commission to recommend to the city. 2. Hurst updated commission University Avenue / Stewart Street public landscape project, stating the project surveying map is nearly completed and awaiting only inputs from Miss Utility. 3. Hurst updated commission on University Place landscaping, stating project manager Aaron Humberson has removed all trees from the plan following commission suggestion that they merely be repositioned because the original plans placed them too close to the street. 4. Hurst updated commission on the Walnut Street streetscape project, stating that the city is awaiting comment from the state Department of Highways on the city's 80/20 funding proposal. 5. Hurst updated commission on the Public Safety Building Plaza project, stating there has been no replies to the RFP, responses being due 12.5.14. Hurst also reported that Damien Davis has requested a Woodmen of the World flagpole donation for the site. Maupin suggested signage referencing municipal buildings for the site and discouraged the placement of new trees because they had provided cover for vagrants and drug users. 6. Hurst proposed changing the commission's regular meeting schedule to once monthly, on the fourth Wednesday of the month, rather than every other month. Hasenmyer motioned to approve, Tominaga seconded and the commission voted to approve. 7. Hurst distributed copies of staff report provided by Maupin. 8. Hurst updated commission on the Tree Board's proposal for funding park tree maintenance, stating Boparc had agreed to pay for part of work at Jack Roberts Park, to be performed by Bartlett Tree Experts. Hurst said a survey of other trees in possible need of removal had been canceled owing to inclement weather. 9. Hurst stated a city patron (Rowe) is funding a railroad-style clock to be placed at the amphitheater. Hurst said one placement option being considered involves removing a light and erecting the clock in its place, but other placement recommendations are still being solicited. 10. Lozier updated commission on the Proud of Our Town Awards, stating no nominations had been submitted. Hurst stated that Nancy Ganz had recommended 632 Villa Place be nominated. 11. In open discussion, Hurst stated she regretted a Dominion Post report on Jerome Park Playground renovations did not acknowledge commission's involvement, including design work by Hasenmyer. Meeting adjourned until Dec. 17, 2014.