HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-2011 Regular MeetingThe Tree Committee of the City of Fairhope met Tuesday , July 20, 2011 at 3:00 PM at the James
P. Nix Center, 1 Bayou Drive.
Present: Bobby Green, Chairman; Skip Jones , Rick Kingrea, City Council Representative , Walt
Bolton, and Paul Fontenot, Kent Schwartz, JoAnne Hogan, Harriett Gutknecht, and Arthur
Bosarge sitting in for Jennifer Fidler. Pandora Heathcoe, City Administrative Assistant took the
minut es. Absent: Maria Gwynn and Jennifer Fidler, Public Works Director and Horticulturist.
The minutes of the April 6, 2011 meeting were duly approved. Skip Jones moved to do this , Rick
Kingrea 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously
New Committee Members-Bobby Green introduced and welcomed three new committee members
and the initial committee members introduced themselves.
Removal of Trees -At the previous meeting in April , two representatives from the American
Legion approached the committee concerning several trees near the Legion building . Since that
meeting , Jennifer Fidler has requested assistance with composing a "Tree Removal Policy ."
Walt Bolton and Rick Kingrea both agreed there should be a written policy with procedures to
adhere to for removal requests and what process should be taken after that point. Kent Schwartz
suggested adding a "tree damage assessment" to the policy as well. JoAnne Hogan supplied a
ISA "Tree Hazard Evaluation Form" that the committee felt would also assist in this process .
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 twe-licensed arborist at his /her discretion and cost. Skip Jones moved to
adopt a procedure for the City of Fairhope to use to include the horticulturist be required to use
the ISA Form for determination of fact. Walt Bolton 2nd the motion and it carried unanimously
Arbor Day-Arthur Bosarge discussed Arbor Day and that a decision should be made on a
date and whether it should be held on a week-end or week day. The committee agreed it should
remain on a week-end to allow families to attend together. Arthur reported that due to the
increase in cost, fewer trees have been ordered for the next Arbor Day. Harriett Gutknecht and
Walt Bolton said they will meet with Jennifer and Shen-y Sullivan to assist the planning.
New Business -FEAB Chair and Guest Jim Horner was present at the request of the Chair, to
see how the two committees can work together on projects of mutual interest He also gave a
report on a seminar he attended last week on Formosa termites. Some of the topics discussed
were how to identify them, how many mounds can the y have , etc. Arthur Bosarge, who also
attended the seminar, said it was very good and he is going to try to obtain a copy of the Power
Point Presentation that was given.
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Bobby Green brought up the subject of the "Treasured Trees" program which was first initiated
by Tom Ellis and the Wisteria Garden Club several years ago. Bobby would like to see this
program continued and more trees added to the inventory . He would also like to see a program
developed to inventory , assess and maintain these protected trees.
Bobby passed out three "initiatives" for the committees input. Discussion included positive input
from all plus possible collaboration with Environmental Board.
The initiatives are best described in three different websites or programs that are part of
sustainability programs. Those sites are:
www.sustainablesites.org
(Collaboration of ASLA , US Botanic Garden , Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Landfills to Parks. There are numerous sites. Google "Landfills to Parks "
www.treep ittsbur gh.org
(Complete trees program)
There being no further business , Bobby Green duly adjourned the meeting.
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