Tree Commission

                                         February 2021 Minutes

Date:   February 2, 2021

Time: 5:00PM – 7:00PM

Location: Remotely via Zoom meeting

Attending: Paul Josey, Emily Cone-Miller, Brian Menard, Anson Parker, Tim Padalino, Mark Zollinhofer,
Mark Rylander, Peggy Van Yahres, Jeff Pacelli, Jody Lahendro,

Absent: Jeff Jennings, Lynn Rush

Staff: Mike Ronayne

Guests: Roxanne White, Molly Conger, Robert Watkins

The meeting was called to order at 5:02 p.m.

January Minutes Corrections –

Paul motions to approve the minutes as presented. Jody seconds, none opposed.

Annual Report Follow-up – Brian M./All

The Annual Report to council was presented and seemed well received. Brian submitted the power
point and addition information to council per their request.

Discuss Items for NDS and PW presentations – Brian M./All

The commission reviews items they would like clarified in the site plan review process. The group would
like explained the differences of by-right and SUP. It would be helpful to have a flow chart to
understand overall process and how the ordinance is applied to trees. Commission will bring back list of
questions to discuss with commission at March meeting. Mike will be given a final list so that he can get
the appropriate staff to answer these questions.

Committee Reports

Education and Advocacy - Peggy

The group is looking to work with CATS in the 10th and Page neighborhood about a tree planting project.
Given the pandemic this project is expected to take place in 2023. Another opportunity the group is
looking at is planting 25 trees along Franklin St. this fall. The group is also planning to move forward
with adding trees to the conservation ordinance. The group will advocate for CIP funding and help plan
Arbor Day.
Arbor Committee – Mark Z.

Arbor Day 2021 will be on Friday, April 30th. The group is exploring doing a virtual presentation with a
few members at the large ash behind the Historical Society downtown. Peggy will explore opportunities
to include the schools.

Codes and Practices – Tim/Jody

The group will begin putting together comments for the Zoning Ordinance rewrite. Paul has an outline
to help address some of the recurring issues that he will send to the group to begin the work.

The draft of the Comprehensive Plan is also out there and will be approved with housing report. Jody
will provide the commission with comment deadline.

Arborist Report – Mike

Six Month Dashboard

Mike reviews what has been spent to date in operating budget and CIP. CIP is essentially empty as the
remaining $7,650.00 is incorporated into the planting project. $79,150.00 remains in the operating
budget. Approximately $10k will be used for grant match for the canopy study and another $20k is
expected to be used for Mall tree pruning. In terms of messaging the group would like to know how
much was utilized from the donation account for tree planting and how much has been spent on ash
tree removal.

Canopy Study RFQ

The latest draft of the Canopy Study RFQ is shared with the commission for feedback. The group
expressed interest in looking at some historical data and comparing older imagery (e.g. 1984, 1957) for
canopy change analysis. The group will provide comments to Mike by Friday.

Public Comment

None.

Other Items Not on Agenda

None.

Meeting Action Items:

    •   Codes and Practices will provide questions to commission at March meeting for NDS/PW
    •   Education and Advocacy will bring trees to nominate for ordinance protection
    •   Arbor Committee will propose a plan for Arbor Day celebration
    •   Codes and Practices will draft framework regarding ordinance rewrite
    •   Mike will provide what was spent from donation account and what was spent on ash removals
        to date

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   •   Group will provide comments for canopy study RFQ by Friday



The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.




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