HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-09-2011 Tree Committee Meeting MinutesThe Tree Committee of the City of Fairhope met Wednesday November 9th, 2011 at 3:00 PM in the Delchamps Room, Fairhope City Hall Present: Bobby Green, Chairman; Skip Jones, Rick Kingrea-City Council Representative, Paul Fontenot, Kent Schwartz, JoAnne Hogan, and Jennifer Fidler-Public Works Director and Horticulturist. Absent: Maria Gwynn, Harriett and Walt Bolton. Guests: Mike Odom- Fairhope Courier, Leslie Stejskal-Fairhope Single Tax Corp., Joe Bullock-Civil Engineer. The minutes of the July 20, 2011 meeting were duly approved with one change: Paragraph Two; Removal Of Trees The committee discussed that once a tree is submitted for removal and the City Horticulturist makes the determination it should not be removed, the initial applicant will be responsible for supplying a report from a licensed arborist at his/her discretion and cost. (The word "two" is to be struck from the July 20, minutes and replaced with "a".) Skip Jones moved to do this, Rick Kingrea 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously. Complete Trees Program Kent passed out a "Sample Template" for Tree Maintenance Scheduling and examples of Tree Care Plans now in use within other communities. Discussion centered around working on an inventory of trees planted since 2000 and then adding newly planted trees each year with an emphasis on scheduled maintenance of same. Rick suggested having a plan in place that would include any Public Works budget requests for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Kent will be meeting with Jennifer and Harriett to put a plan in place. Bishop/Boothe Road Opening Mr. Bullock showed the committee two plans for the proposed opening of Bishop/Boothe Road between Nichols and Morphy Avenues. There are many large trees within the proposed 40' right of way that would need to be removed to facilitate the construction. To minimize tree removal, an adjacent property owner would allow some construction on his leasehold. Certified arborist, Gary Ickes has been consulted and will issue a report on possible impact to remaining trees. City Horticulturist/Certified Arborist has been consulted as well. Planning and Zoning has given preliminary approval to the project which will go before Council for final approval. Paul and Jennifer suggested FSTC have Certified Arborist, Cleve Fonnwalt give them a report on the possible impact to trees as he has worked closely with Mobile's "Liveoak Protection Ordinance" for many years. Bobby asked if a traffic study had been done that shows a need for the construction. Mr. Bullock replied one is not normally done for a secondary artery such as this. Bobby offered that would, of course be up to the city Council as to the need. There was unanimous agreement in praise of engineering efforts made to preserve as many trees as possible within the proposal.
Landfills to Parks Initiative Current uses of the landfill site and length of time till portions reach capacity were discussed. Jennifer, Bobby, Paul, and Walt will meet on site for further discussion. Requests For Tree Removal Jennifer is putting together a written policy for Public Works department as suggested by the committee in the July 2011 Meeting. Arbor Day Jennifer reports Arbor Day is set for Saturday, February 25th• Walt and Harriett are working with her on the project.Meeting was adjourned at 4:28 PM Minutes taken and submitted by Bobby Green, Chair.