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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Tree Board 2012-10-22Tree Board Minutes October 22, 2012 Members Present: Rex Poggenpohl Scott Roederer Steven Day Barbara Williams John Ericson Members Absent: None Others Present: Russ Franklin, Scott Zurn, Jen lmber, Celine Lebeau Quorum: Yes Bond Park Trees Construction work around trees in Bond Park has raised concern among Tree Board members about the welfare of trees in construction areas and the board's role in protecting such trees. Steven Day expressed apprehension about exposed tree roots and suggested that clean -cutting roots and fencing around the trees to keep construction at bay would be beneficial in maintaining healthy trees during and after construction. Several members feel stricter tree specifications should be created and enforced to mitigate tree damage in construction areas. Discussion centered on the Tree Board's possible function and involvement in establishing construction specifications. It was recommended that if the board wished to take action, it submit a written recommendation which can be reviewed and voted on by the Town Board. Rex Poggenpohl will research currently existing ordinances and guidelines and report them to the board at the November meeting. New Tree Board Members Scott Roederer contacted Tree Board applicant Apryle Craig to invite her to the October meeting, but due to the meeting not being held on the regularly scheduled third Friday of the month, she was unable to attend. The board will contact her again before the next meeting to find out if she is still interested in the committee position and invite her to the November meeting, with an interview to be held afterward. The Town Board is considering the possibility that Trustee liaisons will no longer be voting members of the committees on which they serve. This would reduce the Tree Board to six voting members, and an odd number is required to prevent a tie. Due to limited response to recent postings for the committee openings, as well as the forthcoming departure of members Scott Roederer and Rex Poggenpohl, the board is considering submitting a request to the Town Board to reduce the number of committee members on the Tree Board to five. Budget After talking with Steve McFarland, Rex Poggenpohl gave the board a brief overview of the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF). Any unused Tree Board funds at year-end remain in the account. The board may apply for those non -appropriated funds the following year to supplement the standard yearly budget. Currently, non -appropriated funds in the CTF total $22,000, an amount large enough to allow the Tree Board to approach the Town Board about hiring a design consultant for the CVB area landscaping project. Scott Zurn reported that design on the parking structure will commence in the next several months. Rex Poggenpohl, Scott Zurn and Celine Lebeau will meet to scope out the definition of the landscaping project surrounding the parking structure. Proiects Arbor Day: Sandy Burns has expressed interest in continuing to help with the 2013 Arbor Day celebration. With Sandy's assistance, Barbara Williams and Celine Lebeau will set up a meeting with the elementary school to begin plans. Educational Field Trips: Teachers are very interested their students participating in fieldtrips sponsored by the Tree Board. Most felt end of the spring semester would be the ideal time to plan this activity. Rex Poggenpohl and Steven Day will work out who will be involved, where it will take place and when it will occur. John Ericson suggested contacting Larimer County Open Lands Program to arrange a tour of facilities and open space. Celine Lebeau spoke with Rachel at Rocky Mountain Nature Association and reported there would be no conflict with tours through RMNP. As chairperson of educational projects, Steven Day will flesh out these ideas for tours/fieldtrips and report to the board president. Scott's Ponds: Scott Zurn expressed interest in developing this area with trees, which would provide the board with an ideal area to focus funds on tree planting. Legacy Trees: Postponed until 2013. Liaisons: Rex Poggenpohl will contact area groups such as the Garden Club and the Trails Committee to discuss partnering in projects and education and will report responses back to the Tree Board. New Member Packets Packets, including meeting minutes from the past six months, by-laws, the Town's volunteer manual, current member bios and contact info, will be constructed for new Tree Board members. Outgoing Member Gifts The board voted on the book "Tree: A New Vision of the American Forest", by James Balog, as a gift for outgoing members Sandy Burns and Mike Richardson. Steven Day moved, Scott Roederer seconded and all voted in favor of this book except for Barbara Williams. Steven Day suggested the books be paid for by the Tree Board members and not purchased out of the budget, with everyone in agreement. Next Tree Board Meeting The next Tree Board meeting will be held on November 16th, 2012 at 8:30am.