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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-14 Tree Advisory Board Minutes MINUTES OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD,JUNE 25, 2014 12:00 NOON CITY SHOPS TRAINING ROOM BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Elisa Boyd, Chairperson Bill Hoch Scott Makoutz Jeff Krauss—Commission Liaison BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Lessa Racow CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Overton, Parks & Recreation Director Ryon Stover, Forestry Foreman Doreen Olean, Recording Secretary 1. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Boyd at 12:02 p.m. 2. Review of meeting agenda. —No changes. 3. Approve March 19, 2014 meeting minutes—:SS- Board member Hoch motioned to approve the minutes as submitted. Board member Makoutz seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Public Comment—None. 5. New Business a) Mature Spruce Tree at 619 W. Olive 1:29- Drew Coubrough, contractor with Coubrough Construction, provided public comment regarding his clients located at 619 W.Olive. The tree in question is located on 7th Street. The City has looked at the tree. This tree is damaging the sidewalk. A new garage, approved by the City, has been built and the tree roots go through where the driveway will be located. Mr. Coubrough is looking at options on what can be done with the tree. If the tree is removed, the clients would be willing to put three new trees in the boulevard. There are elevation differences for the sidewalk, which needs to comply with ADA requirements. Tree is around 65 feet tall, but tree would be compromised if roots are cut. Not a proper boulevard tree. This would begin a new generation of trees. The tree root flare is large. 6:29—Forestry Foreman, Ryon Stover hates to take out a mature tree. Tree was inventoried in July 2010 with a value of$9900. Tree value might have declined slightly since then. Page 1 of 3 MINUTES OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD,JUNE 25, 2014 Board member Makoutz, who does not have a financial interest in the tree,was asked to have a look at it. He sees the tree as a liability. Not an approved boulevard tree. Feels it is a good opportunity for another generation of trees. Director Overton stated that root removal of the tree causes it to become a public safety hazard. There comes a time when the tree has served the community. 11:40- Mr.Stover said that the ordinance states that the person requesting removal of the tree pays the appraised value of the tree. Mayor Krauss stated that since asphalt has already been used to repair the sidewalk, a variance to use asphalt instead of concrete could be requested. It may be easier to get a sidewalk variance than to get a variance to cut down the tree. Foreman Stover said if the tree is appraised as hazardous then it could be removed. Engineering would need to make the decision on the sidewalk. Nothing was conclusive from the meeting with Mr. Coubrough, Foreman Stover and Engineer Kerr. 44:40-The Tree Board unanimously recommended Mr. Coubrough seeks more information from Engineering regarding the sidewalk and requests a re-appraisal of the tree. The Tree Board also unanimously recommended that the removal of the spruce tree and replacement of new boulevard trees would be the responsibility of the home owner. 6. Old Business a) Cost share program, 2014— 46:20- Foreman Stover reported that 175 cost share trees have been planted. Four Arbor Day trees were also planted from an Arbor Day Foundation grant: two at HRDC on S. 241h and two at Habitat for Humanity on Buckrake. b) S. 8th Median rebuild—47:58—Project is done. Trees are doing well. 7. FYI a) Restructuring of city boards—48:42- Foreman Stover feels that the Tree Board is still a viable board and should not be dissolved. A Tree Board is a requirement for the Trees for the USA and Arbor Day grants. b) Rouse Ave rebuild, 2014 start—Not starting in 2014. This item will be removed from the next agenda. c) Mayor Perspective—Jeff Krauss thanked the Board for serving and looking after the trees. Page 2 of 3 MINUTES OF THE TREE ADVISORY BOARD,JUNE 25, 2014 8. Other 55:51 - Director Overton pointed out that some of the trees in Oak Springs have been planted using tree gators to protect them. Trees which will be spade and relocate out of the old cemetery nursery will be planted this fall in the cemetery. Mr. Overton met with representatives from the disk golf community regarding improvements to Rose Park. Trees are needed in this park to beautify it. The disk representatives are interested in using some cost share trees next spring. When the sidewalks are put in,then there will be opportunities for boulevard trees to be planted. These plantings would require ooze tubes or tree gators. 1:04:16-The Tree Board could make a recommendation to have the City ordinance clarified regarding the entire tree and roots for structural stability. 9. The next meeting was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on September 17, 2014. The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm Elisa Boyd, Chairperson ATTEST: CD Doreen Olean, Board Secretary PREPARED BY: Doreen Olean, Board Secretary Approved on Q-),- ° I L} Page 3 of 3