Tree Board (Refer to Energy and Sustainability Task Force)

WARRENSBURG TREE BOARD BOARD MINUTES August 24, 2017 The Warrensburg Tree Board met in regular session on August 24, 2017 at the Warrensburg Community Center, 445 E. Gay St. The meeting was called to order by Jay Raveill at 4:05 pm. Members in attendance: Jay Raveill, Leslie Bayless, Trish Smith and Kevin Courtwright. Others in attendance: Jason McCarty and Chuck Conner  Agenda: Kevin Courtwright moved to approve the agenda. Trish Smith seconded. Approved 4-0.  Minutes: Trish Smith moved to approve the June 22, 2017 minutes. Leslie Bayless seconded. Approved 4-0.  Discussion Items o 2018 Tree Board Budget Jay Raveill reported that he attended the city council meeting and requested our budget. Jason McCarty advised that there were no problems with our request but that final budget approval for City of Warrensburg will be at the September 28th meeting. o Tree Health Hike Jay Raveill advised that 18 people attended and that he believes we (the Tree Board) do not know enough to recommend changes in status on the data base. Chuck Conner agreed it was difficult to recognize the signs of tree decline but that we could certainly watch for dead trees and report those to Public Works. Jason McCarty said that the crews should report dead trees but they could certainly use some more eyes on the street! o Verification of tree identification Jay Raveill said that during the various workshops and other walks among the city’s trees, he has noticed several errors in identification, most likely because it was done in the winter. Is this something the tree board should work on? General discussion about how best to address this issue. Jason McCarty advised that the city is involved in the new website and is not prepared to make changes or corrections to the database at this time. We will re-visit this issue next spring. o Bioblitz Jay Raveill advised that UCM has scheduled the BioBlitz for September 30th and he took the liberty of reserving a table for the Tree Board. Leslie Bayless said she was available to help that day. Trish Smith moved that we purchase a tree for a raffle during the BioBlitz. Leslie Bayless seconded. Motion passed 4-0. Jason McCarty will check on what monies are available since we are in the middle of budget approval at this time. Kevin Courtwright will purchase the tree and have it there that day.  o Cemetery Tree Leslie Bayless reported that she wasn’t sure her emails were being received as she did not get a response when trying to pick up the tree. Kevin Courtwright advised that the tree is in the greenhouse but he plans to move it outside now. General discussion about getting the tree planted. o Champion Black Mulberry Jay Raveill said that MDC does not keep records of the champion designations. Leslie Bayless advised that she will check with the Historical Courthouse again to see if the family file has been returned and may contain some information on that. o Tree Board Handbook Leslie Bayless handed out a copy of the Tree Board Handbook to Jason McCarty and will hold onto Christian Cutler’s. Trish Smith reminded us that she sent out an electronic copy to everyone in June. o Street Trees Do’s and Don’ts Flyer General discussion about this but confirmed was something we were not doing for now. o Other  New Members Trish Smith reports that Suzy Latare is willing to come back on the Tree Board and will submit her application with the City. Trish plans to resign as soon as a replacement is ready to come on board. Christian Cutler, where is he? Are the emails getting through? Leslie Bayless will call him prior to next meeting to make sure he knows about it.  Next Meeting Date: Next meeting date is set for August 28, 2017.  Adjourn: Leslie Bayless moved to close the meeting, Trish Smith seconded. Approved 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 pm. Signature __________________________________________________ Approved by Jay Raveill, Chair