Tree Commission May 2021 Minutes Date: May 4, 2021 Time: 5:00PM – 7:00PM Location: Remotely via Zoom meeting Attending: Brian Menard, Tim Padalino, Mark Zollinhofer, Mark Rylander, Peggy Van Yahres, Jody Lahendro, Jeffrey Aten, Vicki Metcalf, Jean Umiker-Sebeok Absent: Jeff Pacelli Staff: Mike Ronayne, Todd Brown, Patrick Hagan Attendees: Carrie Rainey, Martin Smith Guests: Amanda Nelsen, Robin Hanes, Jill Trischman-Marks The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. April Minutes Corrections – The group is generally supportive of the goals and message of the project presented by Amanda Nelsen at the April meeting but would like further discussion as to whether and how the City and Tree Commission might collaborate in implementing the project. On Arbor Day April 29th at 10:30AM CATS will also be holding a ceremony at the post oak in Maplewood cemetery. Arbor Day will now be held on Thursday, April 29th 2021 at Walker-Upper Elementary School at 10AM. Mark motions to approve the minutes as amended. Peggy seconds, none opposed. Update on Arbor Day, Bylaws – Brian M. Brian thanks CATS, Peggy, Mike, Communications Dept., Robin Hanes, VDOF, Walker and the students and others that made Arbor Day possible. A year and a half ago the Bylaws went through a revision. Some changes were made and redundancy removed. Brian will bring the bylaws to the June meeting with proposed changes possibly for electronic meetings. Plans for McIntire Park The Grove – Peggy At the top of the hill in McIntire Park among the large oak trees, The Grove will created using a stone terrace and a stone walkway. The terrace will recognize past recipients of Chamber Citizenship Award Winners. The initial part of the project is expected to be completed later this year. The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont – Jill Jill reports on the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, formally the McIntire Botanical Garden. The group is fundraising to develop the north part of McIntire Park and utilizing volunteers to prep the site. An online survey exists is currently open for to solicit public input on the project. CATS Project in McIntire Park – Robin CATS began working in part of McIntire Park that was planned to be forested. They began by removing invasive species in the work area and continued along a new trail through the woods that would connect the CATS project. The planting planned had an emphasis on fall colors and was tied into the contour of the park. Committee Reports Arbor Committee - Peggy The group will meet with Mike to review the Arborist Work Plan in advance of the June meeting. After the completion of the Master Tree List edits, the list was sent to Historic Preservation and Planner Jeff Werner for review. Jeff provided comments back to the commission for consideration. After conversation some of those changes were resolved around trees suggested for streets/sidewalks. There was also a comment about suggesting small and medium trees for under overhead utilities. The committee continues to work with the Nature Conservancy towards a grant project for planting trees in a low canopy neighborhood. The committee will propose a way/design for what will be included for adding the trees protected under ordinance to the City’s website. Codes and Practices – Tim The group is still waiting on direction for the code rewrite. The next C’ville Plans Together steering committee meeting will be May 19th. The group will try to meet before the 19th to get a plan together. Arborist Report - Mike Emerald Ash Borer Plan Mike shares the draft EAB action plan which outlines how dead and dying ash trees will be ranked and prioritized for removal, cost estimates for the next 5 years, varying degrees of funding scenarios and a plan to address the influx of wood debris. The Ed/Ad committee will provide feedback/comments and return to the commission next month. IPM Report – Patrick Patrick reviews the function of the IPM report and changes in recent years as they pertain to chemical use in the Parks Dept. Canopy Study Decision – Mike/All Mike has not heard back from people in the industry regarding more recent imagery. Mike proposes that we move forward using 2018 NAIP imagery. The Tree Commission supports this decision and hopes to have the study in preparation of the Annual State of the Forest in December. Mall Tree Study – Mike/Brian A subcommittee will be put together and provide comments on the Mall Tree Study draft to bring back to the commission for the June meeting. Public Comment None. Other Items Not on Agenda None. Meeting Action Items:  Bylaws will return to meeting in June  Group will provide comments for Mall Tree Study  Mike will provide an arborist work plan in June  Mike will contact IT Dept. regarding email list serve issue  Ed/Ad committee will provide feedback on EAB Action Plan The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.