Tree Advisory Commission Meeting

City of Urbana, Illinois Minutes of the Urbana Tree Commission Meeting Public Works Engineering Conference Room 706 S. Glover Ave. Urbana, IL 61802 Wednesday, March 4, 2015 1:30 p.m. Members Present: Carol Augspurger, Jeff Dawson, Thom Fehrmann, Michael Stevenson Members Absent: Barbara Anderson, Stewart Berlocher, Darin Eastburn, Derek Liebert Staff Present: Michael Brunk, City of Urbana Arborist, Femi Fletcher-Washington Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:37 p.m. Approval of Meeting Minutes The minutes from December 3, 2014 were presented for approval. The motion to approve was carried by a voice vote. Public Input There was no public input. Former Business a. 312 S. Coler Hackberry Update Brunk reported that the Sim Hackberry is scheduled for contract removal on March 26, 2015. A sawyer from Argenta will be milling and drying the wood at no charge in return for 50% of the wood. It could take up to a year to dry the wood, and during that time funding could be raised for the program and the end use decided. Commission members discussed several options for use of the wood, including selling it, making a table and/or a bench from it, cutting cookies from it, making plaques from it, and/or donating it to interested community members. Brunk also discussed whether or not to leave the four-foot stump that would remain after the trunk was cut. He said this would save costs and allow the public to enjoy viewing and studying the stump.  UNAPPROVED New Business a. Spring 2015 Planting List Brunk distributed the Spring 2015 planting list for review. He pointed out that 46% of the trees are native to eastern North America. Discussion ensued regarding the types of trees that appeared on the list. Dawson then stated that he would like to see a higher percentage of trees native to Illinois on next year’s list, and also that Brunk provide him with a tree inventory listing to see how many current City trees are native. Augspurger concurred. b. 2014 Forestry Product Totals Brunk provided a handout with a brief review of worked performed by the City Forestry crews in the last year. He indicated that 60% of the total work was safety related; pruning and removals. At this time, Augspurger inquired as to the ratio of removals to plantings. Brunk answered that plantings were ahead by roughly 100 trees in the last 10-year period, but added that gray infrastructure was outgrowing green infrastructure. c. Upcoming Legacy Tree Candidates i. Leal Park Trees Brunk mentioned that the Urbana Park District is interested in potential Legacy Tree candidates, nominated as a grouping of trees, in Leal Park. The Park District would then consider a plaque with a QR code attached that could direct users to a story about the tree. Brunk asks the Commission members to go to Leal Park, take a look at the trees, and email him to discuss any thoughts or issues. ii. Single-leaved/European Ash at NE corner of Scovill/Cottage Grove Brunk also asked the Commission to consider the European Ash at 2316 S. Cottage Grove, the only of its kind located in Urbana. He said that the tree is notable because of being in great condition and a local rarity. At this time, Dawson asked if there was a master list of notable trees and was directed to urbana.mytreekeeper.com, an informational site that provides public access to initial findings of significance from the tree inventory. d. Arboricultural Specifications Review Brunk presented an updated copy of the Arboricultural Specifications and Standards Manual for the Commission to review. Of notice were two additions: • the Legacy Tree program; and • language regarding the consideration for planting of native trees where appropriate.  UNAPPROVED This item will be added to the September 2015 Agenda for approval by the Commission. Presentation to the public will follow approval. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:53 p.m. Kate Brickman transcription for Femi Fletcher-Washington, Recording Secretary Urbana Tree Commission