GREEN Commission

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA GREEN COMMISSION JULY 16, 2024 MINUTES Staff Report Present: David Quick, Chair, Susan Johnson, Andrea Martin, Rachel Honderd, Jim Westerhold, Olivia Flynn, Mary Conley. Absent: Lia Colabello. Staff: Chris Lubert, Liz Boyles, Kevin Mitchell, John Farrell, Jillian Grimes, Peter Stone, Bryan Hankinson, Russell Walker, Marissa Noble, Claire O’Loughlin, Lynnette Lynes Mr. Quick called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm. A. Approval of Agenda Ms. Flynn moved for approval of the agenda. Ms. Conley seconded the motion. All in favor. B. Approval of June Minutes Ms. Honderd moved for approval of the minutes. Ms. Conley seconded the motion. All in favor. C. Public Comment Mr. Mike Tinkey, 208 Venning, spoke regarding the tree ordinance and recommended some items to be considered when looking at the draft ordinance. He asked that there be a simple, easily understood analysis, and consideration of inclusion of preservation of pine trees. He also suggested that stronger preservation requirements should be considered. He suggested that more education and enforcement should be accomplished as well. He also suggested that the Urban Forestry Green Space Resilience and Sustainability Plan should be part of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. There being no further comments, Mr. Quick continued with the agenda.  GREEN Commission July 16, 2024 Page 2 of 3 D. Storm Drain Art Ms. Grimes reviewed the proposed program with the Commission. The Commission discussed the different aspects of the program and how it could be implemented. Ms. Flynn moved for approval for staff to move forward with development of a storm drain art program and bring back to the Commission for approval. Mr. Westerhold seconded the motion. All in favor. E. Signs for Take Root Trees and Sweetgrass Harvesting Ms. Grimes reviewed the program with the Commission. The Commission discussed how the programs would be implemented. The Commission agreed to move forward with these programs and for staff to bring back changes to the signs as discussed. F. National Wildlife Federation Community Certification Program Mr. Farrell reviewed the program with the Commission. The Commission agreed that this is a good program and discussed how it can be implemented. The Commission agreed to work on the aspects needed to become certified. Ms. Honderd moved to direct staff to draft a letter of support to participate in the National Wildlife Federation Community Certification Program to be signed by the chair. Ms. Flynn seconded the motion. All in favor. G. Residential LID Stakeholders Ideas Mr. Farrell reviewed possible stakeholders with the Commission.  GREEN Commission July 16, 2024 Page 3 of 3 Ms. Conley moved to direct staff to continue to build out the program to evaluate work group membership and experts. Ms. Flynn seconded the motion. All in favor. H. Tree Ordinance Draft Mr. Lubert reviewed the draft tree ordinance with the Commission. The Commission discussed the recommendations for changes in the ordinances. The Commission discussed protecting pine trees 16 inches or greater. Ms. Conley moved for approval of the tree ordinance draft with the recommendation to modify the reduction of protection of pine trees to 16 inches. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion. All in favor with Mr. Quick abstaining. Ms. Conley left at 4:41 pm. Mr. Quick moved to direct staff to provide an accounting of tree bank funds for the past two years to determine how the funds are allocated and what is being used for plantings throughout the Town. Ms. Martin seconded the motion. Ms. Honderd moved to amend the motion to include information on the amount of mitigation satisfied, staff time utilized for tree removal, number of trees removed, and trends associated with tree bank funds. Mr. Westerhold seconded the motion. All in favor. Mr. Quick called for a vote on the motion as amended. All in favor. I. Updates Ms. Boyles reviewed the updates with the Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:48 pm. Submitted by, L. Lynes GREEN Comsn07162024