HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-STAC-2010-02-10Shade Tree Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2010
Present: Nina Bassuk, Ray Benjamin, Ellen McCollister, Pamela Markham, Paul Paradine, Monika
Roth, Debra Statton, Lew Ward.
Ellen McCollister is introduced as our new liaison from Common Council. She asks about the
mission of this Committee. Nina: since 1985 to preserve and protect the city forest on public right of
way. The City has up -to -date computerized map of city trees, also on GIS data base. The ordinance
says to replant take -downs within one year. The City is 90 -95% fully stocked with trees.
Correction to January minutes: the sewer line replacement will start at Sunrise and go 600 feet
toward the City limits, not to the City limits.
Ray reports that the bioswale at the Island Parking Lot is done. Nina hasn't talked to Rick Manning
about the choice of trees for the lot yet. She would like the extension of the parking lot at Inlet Island to
have structural soil to allow for the turf — covered lot project. Tall fescue there is already being mowed.
Forester's Report by Lew: the crew has been doing emergency and R1 (deadwood over 4" in
greater than 50% of crown) takedowns -- on Yates, Tioga, Farm, several on Newman Golf Course.
Six more on the South Side are posted for removal -- -make sure phone number is on signs - - -, also
one on Farm St. Lew is photographing all before takedown, so on Treekeeper.
They are pruning for safety in Stewart Park and answering tree trim requests for roof
clearance. (Tree clearance at curbside should be 10 feet high, 14 feet for trucks.)
Need notification bulletin by March 1. Nina says we have an old one somewhere. Lew drafted
a notice last year alerting homeowners that work is about to happen; he'll send it out again to us.
Two City trees were removed without a work permit on Elmira Road. The owner at Mobil
Lube didn't want trees -- cut them off at the ground. It's being treated as vandalism, with the police
involved. The Forester can ask for reimbursement at $100 /caliper inch.
Also at 1210 N Cayuga St a sugar maple in bad shape was removed by NYSEG without a
permit for takedown, after 3 irate phone calls by the resident complaining the tree was endangering
the building there. The person told NYSEG the tree was his.
Ray is about to interview and hire a tree trimmer.
Lew is working to find sites for the Arbor Day planting. The Garden Club donated 2 trees. One
site is on Park St at Elmira Rd. The street tree site hasn't been decided, has to be prominent.
Nina suggests downtown near the Commons. Have to document the planting for the Growth Award.
The City has been approached by the Boy Scouts with an offer of 8' RPM trees ($200 size) for
their centennial celebration. Lew says the City will plant them if up to our standards, probably down
at Stewart Park by the witch hazel. Lew suggested Freeman maples to them.
Lew is mapping structural soil sites -- put a layer on TC maps and Treekeeper. Nina asks that
depth of soil be included.
Water and Sewer will come up with a budget for their fall planting on Franklin St and on First
Street on the Sciencenter side. A 5 -8 foot tree lawn is planned. Have to replace the soil there.
Paul on the NYSEG -Urban Salvage project: NYSEG is giving Scott at Urban Salvage approx 4
acres of material over by Harford. Paul would like some of the money generated to go to STAC.
Pamela will pursue grants for STAC from Lab of Ornithology ($250- $500), also wonders about
Quercus Montana in tree nursery. Nina offers the Schmidt's freebies to her for Chestnut St.
Monika on Citizen Pruners: training dates are set. Will start pruning 1st week May (1 wk early).
Next meeting is Wed, March 10. Minutes respectfully submitted by Debra Statton