Tree Board Meeting

TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE Tree Board Meeting Wednesday July 2, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Agenda Pg 1. Call to Order Chairman Kantner 2. Adoption of Agenda ……………………………… Chairman Kantner 3. Approval of Minutes May 7, 2025 ………………….. 2 Chairman Kantner 4. Arbor Day Foundation Truist Charitable Trust Grant … 4 Tamara Mercer 5. Education opportunity events Music Series Nature Park 8 Chairman Kantner 6. Adjournment Tree Board - May 07 2025 Minutes Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM Council Chambers The Tree Board regularly scheduled meeting was held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall, 30 S. Main Street, Weaverville, N.C. 1. Call to Order Tree Board Members Present: Chairman Russ Kantner, Inger Stallman Jorgensen, Jeff Colavecchia, Gary Harmon, Caroline Lord, William Mobley, and Pauline Griffith. Absent: Caleb Hudson and Greg Sanfilippo. Staff Present: Town Clerk Tamara Mercer 2. Adopt Agenda Motion by Bill Mobley to adopt the agenda. Carried unanimously. 3. Approval of Minutes- April 2, 2025 Motion by Chair Russ Kantner to approve and adopt the minutes of April 2, 2025. Carried unanimously. 4. Tree Board member terms Chairman Russ Kantner serves in a seat within the town limits and stated he is willing to continue to serve. Bill Mobley stated he is willing to continue to serve. Jeff Colavecchia who serves in a seat in Buncombe County stated he is moving so would not be qualified to serve as it is out of the county. 2  Caroline Lord stated she is moving to Washington D.C. in October. Ms. Mercer will post the requested term vacancies to the Town Council next month's agenda for Council consideration of re-appointments to the Tree Board. 5. Update CODE Chapter 32, Species List- trees and vegetation Tamara Mercer reviewed the Tree Board approved species list, noting that the list does not go before the Planning Board, but the recommended guidelines will be reported to Town Council. Ms. Mercer noted that as a recommendation and guideline species list, this is not codified in the Code of Ordinances but presented to developers and the public as the Town's Tree Board guidelines. 6. Tree Inventory update There was a lengthy discussion regarding the differences between requesting an RFQ, RFP, and an RFI (request for information). Chair Kantner pointed out the NC Forest Service guidelines and timelines for funding project grants, with typically a 50% match. Further topics included: tree inventory and seasons, tree pruning after leaves drop, drone footage and seasons, condition and health of tree assessments, species identification and the inventory and tree survey on public and private property. Non-native trees such as Bradford Pears. 7. Educational Opportunity Events Nature Park Music events were discussed, and it was suggested the Tree Board could set up a table by the Public Works tent. There was general consensus to provide seeds and potting to children, demonstrate invasive plants with examples of species such as Kudzu, garlic mustard, vines, etc. and provide educational material on control methods. Further discussion regarding heritage trees versus treasure trees. 8. Adjournment 8.1 There being no further business and without objection, Chair Kantner adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Town Clerk 3  TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE TREE BOARD AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: July 2, 2025 SUBJECT: Arbor Day Foundation Truist Bank Grant update PRESENTER: Tamara Mercer ATTACHMENTS: 1 Grant Application Submitted: 5/14/2025 - $23,000 Grant Committee Requested revision: 6/25/2025 - $33,000 Town Council Resolution Accepting the Truist Bank Grant funding approved Bartlett Tree Experts, Davey Resource Group or ArborPro to provide estimated budget costs for the Tree Inventory and Tree Canopy Health Assessment Project. Truist Bank Arbor Day Foundation grant fund: Introduction With the generous support of our partners at the Truist Charitable Fund, the Arbor Day Foundation is helping Western North Carolina communities respond to unmet tree-related needs resulting from Hurricane Helene. This grant program aims to break down barriers for communities large and small to access funding for urgent tree clean-up work, pruning and removals for safety, and replenishing the community canopy. These funds are intended to address immediate needs and pave the way for future community engagement and longer- term projects that bring hope, healing, and resilience to communities. Through this program, the Foundation will also work with community forestry leaders to capture and share insights gained during the response and recovery to fuel peer-to-peer learning within our program networks. Eligible Activities • Storm damage clean-up (Removal, transportation, and disposal of fallen trees and/or tree limbs, urban wood utilization) • Hazard tree inspection, pruning, or removal (Inspection, pruning, or removal of trees for safety as deemed necessary by an ISA certified arborist or similarly qualified forestry or tree care professional.) • Tree planting (Planting trees in public spaces, e.g. parks, right-of-way trees) 4 Available Funding Funding will range from a minimum award amount of $5,000 to a maximum award amount of $25,000. All funding must be used within the 6-month period of performance. At the Arbor Day Foundation’s discretion and based upon the volume of projects received, funding availability, and the specific needs within each community, the Arbor Day Foundation reserves the right to offer award amounts other than what you apply for. Match / Cost Share There is no match funds or cost-share requirement for this grant. Including match in your budget will not increase your chances for funding. (An example of match funds or cost- share could be donated trees from a local nursery.) Disbursement of Funding To help facilitate the 6-month period of performance, awardees will receive 80% of their total award amount as payment up front. The remaining 20% will be paid upon the submission of a final project report that outlines completion of all project goals and objectives. All funding must be used within 6-months of receiving the funds or by December 31st, 2025, whichever comes first. Eligible Applicants To be eligible, applicants must be a 2024 Tree City USA recognized community within the following North Carolina counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey. Timeline The deadline to apply is Friday, June 13th, 2025 at 5PM Eastern. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by Wednesday, June 25th, 2025. If awarded, your work can begin as soon as an agreement is finalized. All work must be completed and a final report submitted within 6 months or by December 31st, 2025, whichever comes first. Dear Tamara Mercer, Your application is now being reviewed. 5 Thank you for taking the time to apply through the Arbor Day Foundation's Truist Hurricane Recovery Grant Program. This is your confirmation that we have successfully received your application on time and before the deadline. What happens now? Our team will begin reviewing your proposal. We will contact you using the email address you provide with any updates on the status of your application, so stay tuned. We look forward to learning about your project plans and how those plans will support your community's on-going recovery. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact grants@arborday.org. Thank you for applying through the Arbor Day Foundation! Sincerely, Arbor Day Foundation Inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees! Requested $23,000 6  TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: June 23, 2025 SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of $23,000 Grant from Truist Bank Charitable Fund and the Arbor Day Foundation PRESENTER: Assistant Town Manager ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Resolution DESCRIPTION/SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Truist Charitable Fund and the Arbor Day Foundation is helping Western North Carilina communities respond to unmet tree-related needs resulting from Hurricane Helene. This grant program has no match funding or cost-sharing requirement. The available funding if awarded, would allow the Town to: plant trees for tree renourishment in public spaces, hazard tree inspection, pruning or removal, as well as conduct a tree inventory and canopy survey assessment by an ISA certified arborist or similarly qualified forestry or tree care professional. Grant Application request is in the amount of $23,000. As the Weaverville Tree Board has been working towards finding funding to satisfy the Board’s goals and priorities in conducting a tree survey, assessing the urban tree canopy and renourishment and planting of trees; Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution for your consideration. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Town Council adoption of the attached resolution. 7 8