Tree Commission

                                           May 2018 Minutes



Attending: Rosanne Simon, Roxanne White, Mark Rylander, Lynn Rush, Matt Brinckman, Peggy Van
Yahres, Peter Russell, Brian Menard

Staff: Brian Daly, Mike Ronayne

Guests: none

Approve April minutes: No corrections.

Review EAB press release – Mike

The emerald ash borer press release is reviewed. It is explained that VDOF is currently offering a grant
to help offset costs with treating EAB, but Parks was still waiting on approval from VDOF prior to posting
press release. It is suggested by the commission to add a photo of the serpentine galleries caused by
EAB. Mike will add a photo of the galleries to press release. It is also asked about posting our monthly
meeting on the City of Charlottesville homepage online. Mike will see about having the meeting dates
posted there.

Initial Review of Standards and Design Manual - All

It is decided that for simplicity Mike will cut the tree centric portions out of the SADM and send them to
the commission for review. Mike will also provide his comments to the commission. The workshop for
stakeholders was moved from May 17th to May 14th. Mark will attend part of the May 14th workshop.
The commission will provide Mark all comments by May 10th.

Urban Forestry Intern priorities - Mike

Mike reviews some of the tasks outlined for the newly created internship. Abby Weaver is expected to
start the new position May 21st. Some tasks proposed were pruning, mulching and watering of newly
installed trees, other tree inventory projects, identify and vet possible planting areas and update the
Tree Dashboard using GPS. Another suggestion was made to utilize the GPS device in locating and
logging potential planting sites.

Third Quarter Dashboard Tree and Financial Data – Mike

The third quarter expenditures from the CIP are examined. The only change to the spreadsheet is an
additional $12,650.00 in tree pruning in the third quarter. It is discussed how best to change the
spreadsheet format to reflect what is going on here and moving forward now that the previous
proactive tree preservation funds are now part of the operating budget for tree work. Mike and Brian
will put together a proposed new spreadsheet for the next quarter.
Committee Reports

Planting Committee

Westhaven – Roxanne, Brian

There was a request from the Westhaven community to remove the remaining 11 trees that were
planted this past fall. The decision to remove trees was left to the Director of CRHA. If it is decided that
the trees must be removed, they will be removed in the fall/winter of 2018-19. Removing the trees now
or during the growing season will likely damage and possibly kill the trees and thus creating waste.
Parks staff will wait to hear back from CRHA.

Belmont – Peter

On May 19-22 there will be tree planting outreach efforts made by canvassing potential streets in
Belmont and providing door hangers and flyers. The Planting Committee would like to get a number of
interested people so they can secure funding and order trees accordingly but there is a goal of 40 trees.
Peter will send out more details as the date approaches. Matt will see if Bartlett would be willing to
match Ballyshannon funds for project.

Code Committee - Mark

The committee hasn’t met lately but there were questions generated for Missy after the meeting with
NDS staff and others on site plan review processes. Mark urges advocating for required setback for
trees. The group will need to get together to address the SADM. There are three Comp. Plan updates to
happen and a meeting on the 12th. Presumably there is a document being presented tonight at the
Planning Commission and it is all online available to look at.

Upcoming development projects that impact trees- Mike

Nothing currently.

Arbor Day Reflection – Mike

Arbor Day was held this past Friday at Venable Elementary School. At 8am there was a presentation by
Cindy Cartwright’s second grade students to the entire school about their findings about the large
southern red oak in the front of the school along with a chant and recognition of Arbor Day. At 10am
was the formal ceremony where the proclamation was read, the Tree City USA items were presented,
the ordinance process for the tree was recognized and Cindy’s students gave a presentation about the
southern red oak and it was an excellent Arbor Day celebration.

Other Items

It is asked about planting or replacing trees in cemeteries in Charlottesville. Part of the issue is
identifying family plots and contacting existing families to gain approval for tree planting may be
difficult. There are also old cemeteries where the grave sites are not well marked or marked at all. This
will be something that staff will look at.

It is requested that the commission take a look at the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) for a
possible update. Mike will send out the UFMP to the commission.

        Next meeting: Arborist Annual Fiscal Year Work Plan, Urban Forest Management Plan,
        Standing Committee Updates
                                                                                   Adjourn 6:47