Westminster Tree Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER TREE COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 4:30 PM Conference Room, Second Floor, 56 West Main Street 1. Call to Order Commissioners - Chair Steve Allgeier, Commissioner Cindy May and Commissioner Richard Wilbur were present. Staff – Andrew Gray, Eric Schlitzer and Samantha Parthree were present Attendees – none 2. Approval of Minutes a. Commissioner Wilbur made a motion to approve the January 13, 2016 meeting summary, the May 11, 2016 meeting summary and the September 14, 2016 meeting minutes. Commissioner May proposed an amendment to the meeting minutes of September 14, 2016 adding, under commissioner reports, the Commission agreed that the trees planted during the Arbor Day celebration would not be removed. Commissioner May Seconded. The motion passed. 3. Old Business There was no old business. 4. New Business a. Fall Tree Planting idea – Chair Allgeier shared his idea for a fall tree planting and the idea of incorporating a fall tree planting into a Main Street tree replacement plan. The Commission discussed tying the proposed fall tree planting idea into other downtown events, such as Second Saturdays or Fall Fest. Mr. Gray suggested keeping any fall Arbor Day event small in size. The Commission agreed. 5. Commissioner Reports a. Commissioner May – Inquired about trees located on the median of Center  Street by Brightview, Westminster Ridge. Mr. Gray and Mr. Schlitzer mentioned that area is outside City limits. 6. Staff Reports a. City of Westminster, Urban Heat Island, Graduate Project - Mr. Gray presented information on his graduate school project including the study, field work conducted and next steps. b. Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Program – Mr. Gray briefed the Commission on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Treatment Grant to protect trees from the potential risks of the EAB. Discussion was had on the amount of funding the City received from the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). c. Westminster Tree-Mendous Grant – Mr. Gray discussed the funding the City received from the DNR to replace Ash Trees with any other tree than an Ash Tree. Trees received from the grant have already been planted. d. 2016 Community Forestry Workshop – Ms. Parthree reviewed expenses, attendance, payment options, and feedback from participants. Ms. Parthree mentioned that she and Mr. Gray are researching potential facility alternatives for next year, including John Street Quarters or McDaniel College. Ms. Parthree mentioned the increasing demand for CEU credits and the possibility of increasing the admission price. e. Wakefield Valley, Arbor Day Planting – Mr. Schlitzer mentioned to the Commission that this idea will need to be approval from the Directors in order to have a special Arbor Day planting location at Wakefield Valley. The Commission inquired about the current status of Wakefield Valley. Mr. Gray updated the Commission on the current status. 7. Adjournment Commissioner May made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Wilbur seconded. The motion passed. Adopted January 11, 2017