Tree Commission October 2018 Minutes Attending: Peter Russell, Brian Menard, Paul Josey, Jody Lahendro, Roxanne White, Matt Brinckman, Staff: Brian Daly, Mike Ronayne, Brian Haluska Guests: none September Minutes Comments - The Commission did not vote on September minutes corrections. Mike will take seven of these locations, reach out to the residents of adjacent properties and confirm whether or not they would be supportive of this tree planting effort. It is also suggested to also include non-Dominion overhead lines for consideration. Staff will provide the commission with an expected show-up date for the latest version of the SADM. Annual Report – Paul The Tree Commission activities and tree advocacy from the past year are reviewed. The Annual Report for the State of the Forest to City Council is on the agenda for November 5th. It is suggested to change Possible Planting Area percentage on the graph or remove entirely for clarity. Staff will change from “PPA impervious” to “Impervious Area” on this graph. Staff will also include two survey points from the Parks and Rec survey indicating the public’s interest in preserving open space/trees. Mall Tree Planning Study Update - Mike There will be some tree work taking place on the Mall in the near future where 28 trees will be pruned for deadwood. This scope of work identified two trees that had considerable decline and may be considered for removal. One of these trees is tree #53 nears Wells Fargo and the other one is in a flower bed near the Omni Hotel. Tree Risk Assessments and photos of the trees are presented and the commission is asked to weigh in on these two trees. The question is posed what would happen after the tree on the Mall is removed. Parks would seal the tree grate to make it safe and then wait for the study to determine what we will do about the trees on the Mall. The status of the Mall study is reviewed. Mike and Doug have some ideas and things they would like to come from this study and will be working on this more this month. Parks is still in process of collecting necessary documents, construction drawings and economic info. that will be required. A steering committee, advisory in nature, will also need to be created for project that will likely consist of DBAC, Economic Development, BAR, NDS and the Tree Commission. Staff will be looking for a comprehensive and ideally two practical replacement strategies. The commission expressed concern about removing the tree at Wells Fargo without having plan and advised against it. The commission did not have reservations about the discussed tree removal at the Omni. Vinegar Hill and Friendship Ct. – Brian Haluska Brian reviews the scope of the Vinegar Hill project and that the planter will be reduced for access for the project. The replanting plan of Vinegar Hill Park is yet to be determined. After some discussion Brian will ask Greg to come in to give a presentation to the Tree Commission on the Ice Rink/Vinegar Hill project. Staff will provide a digital copy of the plan to the commission. Friendship Ct. Phase I was submitted last week and it is the open portion along 6th St. side. There is a landscape plan. There are some limitations to the site like the underground utilities and underground creek. Comments will be due October 17th. Staff will get a digital copy of the landscape plan for the commission. 2019 Canopy Study – Mike The next canopy study using aerial photography is due on the 2019 calendar year and is usually funded by the Urban Tree Canopy grant through VDOF that has been historically due towards the end of June. Tree Planting List - Mike Based on last month’s comments, the suggested planting areas had been vetted. Pen Park does not have addition suitable planting area around the parking lot. Washington Park does not have locations available near the playground but did have some other opportunities. It is suggested perhaps at the top of the hill closer to the pool near the wooded area might be suitable. Seven of the oaks on the planting list have now been substituted with white oaks per the recommendation of the commission. Staff was unable to locate the suggested planting area in Darden-Towe in the suggested locations. Mike will send latest list to Tree Commission. Urban Forest Management Plan vs a Natural Resources Plan – Brian D. Due to staffing capacity there has been little headway made on a Natural Resources Plan. Brian will provide an update in 3-6 months. CIP Requests – Brian D. Brian reviews what was requested the previous fiscal year and what was funded. This year’s requests will two unique submissions. There will be an increased tree planting submission from $50k to $75k for the next two years and then $100k for years beyond to cover the rising market costs. Brian introduces the new scoring criteria which projects are scored by staff. The Mall Tree Active Lifecycle Management submission is similar to what was presented last year. It is suggested to provide the cost of a planted tree. The departments will meet with the City Manager individually and Parks and Rec. meets at the end of the month. Committee Reports Belmont Tree Planting Project – Peter The group had to cancel going to see residents and Belmont Bash was cancelled as a result of the hurricane. Belmont Bash has been rescheduled for November 10th from 1-5pm. The volunteers will be visiting residences on October 6th. Residents have had positive feedback. The group will need to schedule a few meetings and budgeting issues to tie down details. C’ville Tomorrow has expressed interest in writing an article about this project. The group is currently about $3,000 short of goal for project. Van Yahres has donated money and Bremo has donated trees. Matt is pushing for Bartlett to dig holes a day prior on November 16th and trees. Planting date is set for November 17th. SADM Update – Mike Staff is still discussing and finalizing comments. Mike will check on a date for final draft. Data Committee – Roxanne The Committee has finished the Annual Report and has 7 of the 12 performance measures included there. The next step will be to look at the remaining 5 measures and decide whether they are revised, implemented or removed. Expects to have a meeting in early November. Other Items East High Steering Committee – Brian M. The group submitted comments in advance of the meeting based on the Tree Commission comments. The E. High segment from Lexington to Locust was going to be devoid of trees but the group was able to reduce the lane for the Fire Dept. and able to add a 6’ planter to the CFA side. The 9th St. segment is more difficult due to dimensions. The reality will be determined be surveying and utilities. Timmon’s Urban Tree Guide – Mike Mike provided comments back in April for a revision of the document and has not heard anything. Mike will check with PW for status update. Mall Grates at Free Expression Wall – Mike The Mall grates near the Free Expression Wall have been replaced with the plastic grates. Underground Utilities and Trees The commission will research other municipalities’ requirements for tree planting near underground utilities. Next meeting: Timmon’s Urban Tree Guide Update, Vinegar Hill Project presentation, SADM Adjourn 6:56