City Clerk February 28, 2014

Tree Board Minutes, Feb 6, 2014

WINDY HILLS TREE BOARD
February 6, 2014

A meeting of the Windy Hills Tree Board was held on Thursday, February 6, 2014, 7:00 P.M. at the Coach Gate Clubhouse, 1111 Wellington Place.

In attendance were: Martha Davis, Chair
Amy Carter
Terese Fister
Dan Keating
Allan Atherton, Consultant
Caroline Westfall, Certified Arborist
Mike Hayman, Certified Arborist
John Hancock, Guest
Roy Robinson, Guest

Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on January 2, 2014 were approved.

Financial Report: Allan submitted the following financial information for the Tree Board account and Arborist account: Tree Board account – $6,996.28 and Arborist account, $3,095.75.

Financial Disclosure Forms: Martha distributed forms to Mike Hayman and Dan Keating. John Hancock and Roy Robinson were also given forms pending their appointment to the Tree Board. Forms are to be returned to the Windy Hills office.

City Council Report: The first reading of a change to the Tree Board Ordinance was made at the January 13 City Council meeting and the second reading will take place at the City Council meeting on February 10, 2014. After approval of the second reading by the Mayor and Council, the Tree Board will nominate John Hancock and Roy Robinson to serve 3-year terms on the Tree Board and will recommend approval of this nomination by the Mayor and City Council.

Windy Hills Tree Board
February 6, 2014
Page 2
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Arborist Report: Mike has 19 new trees to be planted on the Green when the weather breaks. A short description and picture of the mature trees that are planted and that are being planted could be posted on the City’s website for better recognition of what is changing the landscape of the Green.

Tree City USA Application: Dan reported that our application has been approved for Tree City U.S.A. designation. He will call Scott with the KY Division of Forestry to determine when the plaque/certificate will be received from the Tree City U.S.A. Foundation.

Arbor Day: Agreement was reached to have only interested residents register for the drawing of ten trees, perhaps a “Wild Fire” Black Gum. For the best possible survival rate, the trees would be planted by experienced people with the help of the homeowner. A tree guard would be included. Registration for all adult attendees would be for a door prize drawing for a pair of pruners. Seed packets would be given to the children attending.

Job List: Terese will handle publicity including articles for the newsletter, city-wide e-mail blast from the City’s office, website additions and more as needed.
After official appointment, Roy will prepare the financial tracking and reporting, and John will follow up on the status of the tree in the right-of-way at 4326 Rudy Lane.

Other: Councilman Jim Ising proposed a buffer of trees shielding the Watterson Expressway wall from homeowners’ view along their rear property lines. Mike and Caroline made several tree suggestions that homeowners could consider with serious consideration of the environmental growing conditions. Perhaps Mike Smiley, landscape architect and Windy Hills resident would do a CAD rendering as an example as to how it would look in the future. The Tree Board recommends to the City Council that there be a strong buy-in by the homeowners. Dan will check out grants that might be applied for the buffer tree proposal.

Windy Hills Tree Board
February 6, 2014
Page 3
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Words of Wisdom: Heard at the end of the meeting – “Protecting our tree canopy is our greatest asset.”

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Martha Davis, Chair

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 6, 2014, 7:00 P.M.

Please note new location of our meeting – Coach Gate Clubhouse, 1111 Wellington Place

Please Note: Any member who sees a discrepancy between the minutes and what occurred at the meeting, or who sees a need for additional notes or corrections should contact the Secretary, Cheryl Cooper at [email protected] or call her, 897-1152. Your approval of these minutes is granted unless the Secretary hears otherwise from you.