Tree Board Meeting

TREE BOARD March 4, 2019 The Tree Board of the City of Norman, Cleveland County, State of Oklahoma, met in the Study Session Room on the 4th day of March 2019, at 4:09 P.M. ITEM 1, being: ROLL CALL Present: Vice-Chairman Spain and Members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, and Winegardner Absent: Chairman Menzie and Members Grisso, Huffman, and Tedder-Loffland City Officials Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation James Briggs, Park Planner Karla Sitton, Administrative Technician IV ITEM 2, being: APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 4, 2018 MEETING MINUTES Member Winegardner made the motion and Member Fagin seconded to approve the minutes. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chairman Spain and Members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, and Winegardner NAY: None ITEM 3, being: APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Member Fagin made the motion and Member Lavastida seconded to approve the agenda. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chairman Spain and Members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, and Winegardner NAY: None __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 4, being: SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Member Fagin said he will begin going to the 2nd Friday Art Walk as the weather gets warmer and invited the Board to attend. Member Janaway said he can set up in front of his bank and will put out a donation jar as he has done in the past. Earth Day is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Reaves Park and the Tree Board and Park Foundation will have a booth together. The event time will be 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Board talked about working shifts. Member Fagin suggested putting the names and stories of the winners from Tree Story Contest up at the booth and requested Staff forward the winners names and stories to him. Member Janaway asked about passing out information and putting up signage stating weed eaters can kill trees if used to close to the base of the tree. Passing out tree guards were suggested if the cost was not too expensive. Member Janaway reminded the Board that some of the trees that were obtained for the ReLeaf Berry Project were stolen from the staging area at Berry Road Baptist Church. He said there are about two dozen crepe myrtles not taken that could possibly be used at the West Main Street Bridge Project. Tree Board Page 2 of 3 March 4, 2019 ITEM 5, being: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE TREE CITY LUNCHEON Mr. James Briggs said the Tree City Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2019 in Oklahoma City and Chairman Menzie, his wife and daughter plan to attend with Lisa Griggs, Senior Program Coordinator. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 6, being: DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION Mr. James Briggs said Chairman Menzie is not at today’s meeting; however, Mr. Menzie has contacted Lisa Griggs, Senior Program Coordinator, stating he will accept the Arbor Day Proclamation at the March 26, City Council meeting. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 7, being: UPDATE ON TREE ORDINANCE AND POSSIBLE FORESTER POSITION Mr. Jud Foster, Director of Parks and Recreation, said Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. O-1819-34, adding Article X to Chapter 10, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Norman establishing regulations to protect healthy and significant trees in the public streets and rights of way. He said the ordinance will go into effect on March 28, 2019. Mr. Foster said a position for a future City Forester will need to be done through a budget request, to include the salary, vehicle, computer, and supplies, and will need to be approved by Council. Vice-Chairman Spain asked if the new ordinance/policy should be promoted and Mr. Foster said he is hesitant to do so before the position is filled; however, there are many ways to do a community outreach, i.e., put information on Channel 20, if a City Forester is hired in the future. Member Fagin asked if Council approves the position, how long it would before a City Forester would be on staff; and Mr. Foster said July 1, 2019, unless Council wanted it to be filled before then. Mr. Foster said current staff will regulate the ordinance to the best of their ability until the Forester position is approved and/or hired. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ITEM 8, being: MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION Member Janaway asked the Board if they had ever heard of tree planting(s) done with drones. He explained there is a company based out of England has begun planting trees with drones and thought it was very interesting. The other Board Members had not heard of this and Member Janaway said he would get information to anyone who was interested in reading about it. Member Lavastida said Councilmember Scott asked her about the Tulsa area organization, “Up With Trees”; and whether it is a local or national organization, and Mr. Foster said it is located only in Tulsa. He said Norman has a Neighborwoods Program that plants trees along the rights of way. Mr. Colin Zink, Ward 7 Greenbelt Commissioner, said please keep the Greenbelt Commission in mind if there are any opportunities that the Greenbelt Commission can partner with the Tree Board on projects. Tree Board Page 3 of 3 March 4, 2019 ITEM 9, being: ADJOURNMENT Member Janaway made the motion and Member Fagin seconded to adjourn. The vote was taken with the following results: YEAH: Vice-Chairman Spain and Members Fagin, Janaway, Lavastida, and Winegardner NAY: None Passed and approved this ____________of ________________________ 2019 Don Menzie, Chairperson