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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-09 Tree_MIN Ashland TreeCommission Minutes September9, 2021 Call to Order Commission Chair Chris Johncalled the meeting to order at 6:00pmvia Zoom. Commissioners Present:Council Liaison Christopher JohnStephen Jensen Asa Cates Vacancy(3)ParkLiaison Eric SimpsonPeter Baughman Vacancy (5) Cat Gould Staff Present: Vacancy (7)Aaron Anderson: Associate Planner Approval of Minutes CommissionersCat Gould /Eric Simpsonm/s to approve the minutes ofAugust 5, 2021. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed Liaison reports Council Liaison –Stephen briefly discussed staff departures and recruitment and gave a brief overview of the overall budget situation that the city is facingand detailed some of the different funds and thefact that the fundamental problem lies with the general fund. Parks & Recreation Liaison –Peter gave an update on the pickleball courts in lithia park which are nearing completion. The Japanese garden hasmade significant progress with some large concrete pours recently. Finally the parks Dept did work down at the Ashland Ponds to clear the infill channel. Community Development Liaison –Aaronreported on the Tree of the year web app is ready to be deployed using ‘survey 123’rather than forms. Also reported on an emergency removal that took place at 132 Van Ness Public Forum Peter Finkle spoke to inform the commission about his most recent article about the first TOY at Brisco which was also published in the Mail Tribune. And teased his upcoming article about the 1989 tree of the year (plaza tree of heaven). Finally Peter remarked that there were many TOY’s in town that do not have plaques. Anderson replied that this is largely a budgetary issue. Type I Reviews None Type II Reviews None Street Tree Removal Permits SUBJECT PROPERTY:374 Helman APPLICANT/OWNER:Canopy DESCRIPTION:A request to remove a Dead 13.5” DBH Maple Tree CommissionersCat Gould /Asa Catesm/s to approve theapplication with acondition ofapproval for a mitigation tree to be planted. Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed Discussion Items Electrical line clearance Cat wanted input on a photo of a particularly hard pruned tree with regard to line clearance. Chris John remarked that Ashland’s line clearance guys tend to do a good job and have to make difficult decisions Invasive Species conversation(see attached) Risa Buck, Kristina Lefever and Amy Gunter were present to present on challenges with regard to the tree of heaven(see attachments). At the conclusion of the presentation councilor Jensen asked a clarifying question about if the code makes any reference to invasivetrees.LiaisonAnderson replied that with the exception of the exemption to remove invasivetreesthere is nothing with regard to mitigation. CommissionerJohn asked if there had been any conversations with weed abatement, Risareplied that yes there had been conversations and their only concern was mitigation of fire risk. Amy Gunter spoke about the issues relating to Tree’s of Heaven. There was discussion about the pros and cons of herbicide and that it is essentially required to kill the root system. The conversation continued to return to the topic of education and outreach. John encouraged Risa to put together a handout. Asa Cates suggested that we discuss a subcommitteeat the next meeting. . Adjournment:Meetingadjourned at7:26p.m. Next Meeting: October 7, 2021 Respectfully submitted by Liz Hamilton