HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-2019 Tree Committee Meeting MinutesTree Committee Meeting May 2, 2019 3p.m. Conference Room, City Hall Members present: Patrick Waldrop, Paul Fontenot, Greg Wittendorfer, Joanne Hogan, Craig Tappan, Paul Merchant. Absent: Richard Johnson, Skip Jones and Jay Robinson. Gayle Fogarty took minutes. Guest: Steve Moore, property owner of 107 Fig A venue. Paul Fontenot called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Steve Moore, property owner at 107 Fig Avenue made a request through the City's Utilities department to remove a live oak on the Right-of-Way at the frontage of the property. There was a substantive claim that the tree roots have and were disrupting and damaging the residence's utility services. After review by the City's Horticulturist it was determined that the tree not be removed, Richard Johnson, public works director supported the decision. According to Paul Merchant the tree in question is healthy, striving and a highly valued species. The owner appealed the public works department's decision to the Fairhope Tree Committee. The Committee listened to the property owners compelling argument. A motion was made to remove the tree or request further discussion from the Public Works Department, 1st motion by Paul Fontenot and 2nd by Patrick Waldrop and unanimously carried. There was general discussion among the board members, and the motion to remove the tree passed with Joanne Hogan, Greg Wittendorfer and Patrick Waldrop voting in favor, Paul Fontenot refrained from voting, and Craig Tappan requested more information. Paul Merchant of the public works department is comfortable and confident that Due Process was followed, and the City's Ordinance was applied appropriately. The tree will be removed, and Gayle Fogarty will send the recommendation to Richard Johnson, public works director. The minutes from the meeting held on October 18, 2018 were reviewed and approved, pt motion by Patrick Waldrop and 2nd by Craig Tappan and unanimously carried. The minutes from the meeting held on January 31, 2019 were reviewed and approved, 1 st motion by Patrick Waldrop and 2nd by Craig Tappan and unanimously carried. There was general discussion among the tree committee members regarding the PitStop Carwash and the recent changes to their landscape. The Fairhope Tree Committee recommend to the City of Fairhope Public Works Department to proceed with a landscape citation for the Pitstop Carwash, located at 809 Fairhope A venue in Fairhope. The citation recommendation requires that the business (PitStop Carwash) fully comply with the City . ofFairhope's Tree/Landscape Ordinance. A motion was made by Patrick Waldrop and 2nd by JoanneHogan, and unanimously carried. There was general discussion among members regarding the two open tree committee positions. Old Business: There was general discussion among the group regarding Arbor Day 2019. Greg Wittendorfer commented that the P.A. system didn't work very well during the announcements on Arbor Day. Joanne Hogan commented that she didn't see anything about the students that were recognized at the event in the newspaper. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.