Westminster Tree Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER TREE COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 4:30 PM Conference Room, Second Floor, 56 West Main Street 1. Call to Order Commissioners - Chair Steve Allgeier, Vice-Chair Cindy May, and Commissioner Tim Bangerd, were present. Staff-Andrew Gray was present. Visitors - Jessica Fitzgerald, Paul Mullins, Jason Swartz, and Sarni Wilson were present. 2. Approval of Minutes Chair Allgeier made a motion to approve the October 11, 2017 meeting summary. Vice-Chair May seconded. The motion passed . 3. Old Business a. Comprehensive City Tree Plan - Chair Allgeier briefed members of the public about how the Commission started to craft the Comprehensive City Tree Plan. Mr. Gray briefed the Commission about where discussion concluded during the October meeting and presented the Commission a draft plan which included information such as the 2009 Comprehensive Plan mid-cycle review, urban forestry and Tree Commission achievements, past Arbor Day observances, Tree City Growth Awards, etc. The Commission will review. The Commission reviewed the list of permissible roadside tree species as contained in § 148-7 of the City Code and made suggestions regarding the elimination of some trees. Mr. Gray mentioned that changes to the City Code would require a zoning text amendment approved by the Mayor and Common Council. Commissioner Bangerd made a motion to recommend the elimination of the official roadside tree list in the City Code so the tree list contained in the plan would become the official roadside tree list and could  be updated annually by the Commission. Vice-Chair May Seconded. The Motion Passed. 4. New Business b. Tree City USA Growth Award - Mr. Gray reviewed the Staff Report dated November 3, 2017, that included the programs that are recommended to be submitted to the Arbor Day Foundation as supporting the requirements for the Tree City USA Growth Award. Vice Chair May made a motion to approve the recommended Tree City USA Growth Award programs. Chair Allgeier Seconded. The Motion passed. 5. Commissioner Report Chair Allgeier - Introduced members of the public from McDaniel College. The Chair inquired about a possible partnership with McDaniel College regarding surveying the urban tree canopy of Westminster and having students use a computer program to analyses and assess the benefits of the urban tree canopy for inclusion in the tree plan. Public Comments Sarni Wilson and Jason Swartz discussed the current project of McDaniel College becoming a Tree Campus USA. 6. Staff Reports 1. Tree Removal (Gas Line at 220 ½, 292, and 274 East Main Street) - Mr. Gray briefed the Commission on how the trees located at these addresses would not be replaced due to a gas line running through the tree pits. 7. Adjournment Chair Allgeier made a motion to adjourn. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:35 PM. Westminster Tree Commission Adopted: December 13, 2017