HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-0607 Tree MIN
Ashland Tree Commission
Minutes
June 7, 2001
Call to Order
– The meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m. by Chair Rich
Whitall. In addition to the Chair, commissioners present were Bryan Nelson,
Bryan Holley and January Jennings. Council liaison Cameron Hanson, Parks
Department Donn Todt and staff Robbin Pearce were also in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
– Approval of minutes for the month of May was tabled
until July.
Welcome Guests
– Scott Johnson, City of Ashland Electric Department
Operations Superintendent and Eric Barkus, contracted tree trimmer, were
present to discuss the City’s Electric Department tree trimming procedure. Eric
shared his background and experience. Scott stated complaints are down and
compliments are up. Tree Commission recommended:
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looking for grant money to replace trees under power lines
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being sure marketing is proofed
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educating Electric Department as to the permit process for tree
removals
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supporting the hiring of a full time arborist to possibly be shared
with other departments: public works, cemetery, parks.
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Including the Electric Department in the mailing list for Tree
Commission agendas
Rich Whitall moved to have Dan Moore write a letter in support of hiring a
certified arborist through the Electric Department. Bryan Holley seconded. The
motion was approved unanimously.
Old Business
A. Community Forum – Discussion included: Shall we continue to push
forward with a tree ordinance proposal? Summer is a tough time to
coordinate schedule, we may need to wait until the Fall. Maybe we should
just beef up sanctions for new development and create a heritage tree list.
Are we really losing canopy? We need to refine our intent/goals. Should
we create restrictions on residential lots or not? What do we really want to
accomplish? We need a statement of purpose and a vision statement. Are
we and/or should we create equal standards for the city, developers and
homeowners? It was agreed commissioners would get their summer
schedules to staff to pick a date for a strategic planning session.
B. Other – There was no additional old business at this time
New Business
A. Site Reviews
1. Planning Action 2001-053 John Fields on Clear Creek Drive – Final
Plan approval and Site Review for Phase I of Clear Creek Village. The
plan did not specify the four street trees on Hersey west end,
interesting variety on plant material, if children are likely to live here
beware Saphora japonica are poisonous (also are a problem near bike
& walking paths, nice wetlands design.
2. Planning Action 2001-043 Patricia Lorenz was postponed.
B. Other New Business
1. Donn Todt reported there were a couple of oak trees at the cemetery
that were dying and really won’t recover. Donn recommended removal.
There were also a couple of trees that would need limb pruning to
avoid creating a hazardous situation.
2. Donn Todt also reported he had been asked to look at a couple of
trees by the SOU Elderhostel building and he had recommended
removal of the fruitless mulberry.
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3. Staff asked about moving the July meeting from Thursday the 5 to
th
Monday the 9. Staff will survey all the commissioners and report the
results as soon as possible.
Meeting adjourned
at 7:35 p.m.