HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-0103 Tree MIN
Ashland Tree Commission
Minutes
January 3, 2002
CALL TO ORDER
–The meeting was called to order at 5:08 p.m. by Chair Rich Whitall.
Additional commissioners in attendance were Greg Covey, Bryan Holley, January
Jennings, Dan Moore, Bryan Nelson and Tom Peil. Parks Department liaison Donn Todt
was present, as was Planning Department staff Robbin Pearce.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
– The minutes of the December 6, 2001 meeting were
approved as submitted.
WELCOME GUESTS
– John Peterson, Street Supervisor, Scott Johnson, Electric Dept.
Supervisor and Dan Nichols, Maintenance and Safety Supervisor for the City of Ashland.
Each city employee shared his perspective of the impact of the limbs and branches on
equipment and personnel, then asked the commission for support, in the form of a letter
to council, to increase the clearance height requirements in the municipal code.
Discussion included lack of enforcement no matter what the standard is, topping trees,
and frustration over city right of way/property owner responsibility. Rich Whitall moved to
write a letter in support of the increase in height as well as making it a priority for
enforcement to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. January Jennings
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
John Peterson
A. Tree Ordinance – 1) shared his concerns over the need to top trees
Scott Johnson
in hazardous situations. 2) wants a physical permit to show
homeowners as trees are routinely cut for line clearance. Scott will present an
Electric Department work plan at the January 22 study session with the Planning
Jack Blackburn
Department. 3) – thanked the commissioners for all the work they
have done but said he does not support any new permit process that is fund
generating for the City, invades private property rights, or is controlled by the
Planning Department. Jack asked that the Commissioners consider keeping the
permit process tied to development only and triggered by a planning action or a
Lawrence King
building permit. 4) – brought up a number of issues for the
consideration of the commissioners. Some of the issues were answered but a
number of issues need to be researched:
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teeth for removal without a permit
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statute of limitation on removing without a permit
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costs of permits
These topics will be considered and ironed out for the ordinance that is submitted to
Rick Landt
the City Council. 5) – Rick thanked the commissioners for the work they
have done, which he feels shows a lot of thought and consideration. Rick feels
strongly that the City should be:
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held at the same or higher standard as everyone else;
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there should be no exemptions (or there should be exemptions only for large
parcels, such as 20 acres);
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there should be at least 2 categories for heritage type trees - heritage and
‘eligible for listing’, and significant, with the highest category being the most
protected and the lesser category simply listing the tree and its address;
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dbh is not the best size determination – basil-linear areas would address the
issue of multi-stemmed trees;
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‘removal’ needs to be defined – irreplaceably damaged;
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street trees should also be defined;
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tree protection zone needs to be defined;
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Rick also recommended making the ordinance as black and white as possible.
Cate Hartzell
6) – Cate recommended regular tree removal reporting from staff and
who would sign off on annual reporting from the different departments, school, etc.
and wondered if heritage trees could be added to the property deed.
All of the topics will be discussed with the additional topics from the study session.
B. Recommended Street Tree List – Donn Todt will show staff which photo is
recommended for the cover and it will be brought to the February meeting.
C. Jackson County Smart Map – Greg Covey will contact Engineering to see what
options are available. Dan Moore is interested in purchasing America forest software
that could interact with the Smart Map and produce reports. Dan Moore will look into
the software.
D. Siskiyou Redesign – Greg Covey has reviewed the conceptual plan and has some
concern regarding the proposed plant material. He has talked with the landscape
architect. Donn Todt will also review the plan and make recommendations and/or
comments. Staff will find out what the timeline is for comments on the conceptual
plan.
E. Street Clearance Ordinance Word Changes – Rich Whitall will work on the wording.
F. Staff Support Letter – This item is on hold until the ordinance is adopted and Arbor
Week is completed.
G. Other – There was no other old business.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Site Reviews – There were no site reviews this month.
B. Arbor Week Activities – Ideas included 1) tree fans or something as a donation for
the schools, 2) bikepath cleanup/restoration, 3) brochure & pruning workshop, 4)
photo display (Terry Skibby’s) on the web and physically, 5) tree planting – Donn
Todt will pick a site. Staff will also work up costs for Arbor Week.
C. Calendar for 2002 – included in the packet.
1)
D. Other – Gresham Street – the Mayor requested a recommendation for tree
2)
replacements. Staff will measure and get a specific list to the Mayor. Fire
Dept/Blue Mountain – Staff walked the grounds with Chief Woodley to know what will
be removed and what will stay. All plant moving activities will be coordinated through
3)
the Chief. Donn Todt submitted a request for plant material to be removed in the
downtown. Staff will post the list on email so any and all commissioners can review.
4)
Comments should be returned by January 11. ODF Grant Application – ODF grant
deadline is January 31, 2002. Suggestions from the commissioners included: a)
software and tree inventory, b) irrigation and structural soil matrix, c) library donation,
5)
d) development of tree issue curriculum K-12, Staff reported she has received a
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suggestion that the alley behind the library be called Ginkgo Memorial Alley. ) Staff
asked Dan to help collect data in support of an Urban Forester position.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
- $730.00
ADJOURN
– Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.