Tree Board Meeting

TREE BOARD June 5, 2017 The Tree Board of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Study Session Room on the 5th day of June 2017 at 4:00 P.M. ITEM 1, being: ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Menzie and members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, Spain and Winegardner Absent: Members Grisso, Guistozzi, and Huffman City Officials Present: Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation Karla Chapman, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE MAY 1, 2017 MEETING MINUTES Member Winegardner made the motion and Member Fagin seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Menzie and members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, Spain and Winegardner NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Member Winegardner made the motion and Member Fagin seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Menzie and members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, Spain and Winegardner NAY: None ITEM 4, being: SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Member Fagin gave an update regarding the 2nd Friday Art Walk and said while he is set up at a Tree Board booth, he will get community feedback regarding amendments and/or updates for O-1112, Chapter 1, Landscape Requirements, i.e., tree ordinance. Member Lavistida volunteered to help with the booth on June 9, 2017. Tree Board Page 2 of 3 June 5, 2017 ITEM 5, being: DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO ORDINANCE O-1112-19, CHAPTER 1, LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS Chairman Menzie distributed Guidelines for Developing and Evaluating Tree Ordinances from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). He said this is a great step-by-step guideline that the Board could use in revising and/or evaluating a local tree ordinance. Chairman Menzie said this guideline describes how a tree ordinance development can be integrated with an overall community tree management program and includes examples of tree ordinances throughout the country. Member Fagin said he had to leave the meeting early last month and asked what the Board is tasked to do regarding amendments to the existing tree ordinance. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation, said the Board is looking at potential changes or additions that would replace trees if a tree has been removed and establish guidelines for “historic trees.” He said several weeks ago, the Board discussed whether or not permission and/or a permit would be required in order to remove a tree; however, it was determined that a permit should not be required to remove a tree. Chairman Menzie felt the Board should outline what the goals of a tree ordinance should be and Member Lavistada felt determining/labeling historic trees and enforcing replacing them if they are removed would be a good start. Member Spain asked whether or not any tree over six (6) inches in diameter would need to be replaced if it was cut down or removed and Member Janaway said he felt Norman needed to begin with stair-steps. Chairman Menzie said Norman could start with designating certain areas as historic tree areas rather than the entire city. Member Fagin said right-of-way trees within a designated area could also be determined and felt all areas of Norman should be included; however, begin with Historic/Central Norman. He felt only historic trees should be considered and not trees for esthetic (only) reasons. Chairman Menzie said the changes to the tree ordinance should include all City boundaries, but not areas near Lake Thunderbird. Member Janaway felt the Board can get with groups such as the Rotary or Kiwanis to see if they would be interested in replacing the trees along Berry Road. Member Fagin agreed stating OU students could replant the trees during the OU Big Event and/or Arbor Day. Member Janaway said the changes or additions to the tree ordinance should be developed with the utility companies in mind. He said at times the utility companies will cut down trees for free, but maybe they should not be; i.e., need licensed arborists to determine whether older/historic trees should be saved versus cut down. Member Winegardner asked if the City would designate historic trees in back yards and Chairman Menzie said no, only in the front. Member Fagin agreed and stated if trees are designated in the back yard the City could get pushback from citizens. He said there should be different criteria for historic trees and all other “street” trees. Member Spain agreed and said if the Board separated historic trees from street trees then Council could approve one or the other or both if they so desired. Member Fagin said he would contact Joyce Green in the City Geographical Information Systems (GIS) division for mapping in order to begin designating historic tree areas, etc. Member Janaway asked whether a Forester would be needed to enforce these ordinance requirements and Staff said yes, possibly. Jud said if the Board choses to identify historic trees; they could be identified by age, size, and/or certain species. He suggested the Board look for additional city ordinances that are in place and schedule a work session to discuss and review the criteria to determine the best ordinance and fit for Norman. Member Spain Tree Board Page 3 of 3 June 5, 2017 felt an ordinance should encourage citizens to replace trees that are removed rather than be an ordinance that restricts citizens from removing trees. Chairman Menzie requested the Board to read the ISA website, and the ISA guideline he distributed today. He said the Board needs to find a tree ordinance for a city similar in size to Norman, concentrating on street trees; focusing at volunteering to have trees (street and historic) designated by homeowners; and re-enforce replacement of trees that are removed. ITEM 6, being: MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS Chairman Menzie said the next meeting is scheduled for July, 3rd; however, with that being the day before the 4th of July, he did not know if everyone would be able to attend the meeting. He suggested moving the meeting up one week to July 26th and the Board agreed. ITEM 7, being: ADJOURNMENT Member Spain made the motion and Member Fagin seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Chairman Menzie and members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, Spain and Winegardner NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2017 Don Menzie, Chairperson