WINDY HILLS TREE BOARD
MINUTES November 5, 2015

A meeting of the Windy Hills Tree Board was held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, 7:00 P.M. at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 2501 Rudy Lane.

Members present were: Martha Davis, Chair, Amy Carter, Marcia Myers, Cheri Silvey-Slusher, and Jodi Smiley. Also present were City Council Representative Kate Greer and Certified Arborist Mike Hayman.

Minutes: Minutes from October 1, 2015 were approved.

Financial Report: – Balances as of October 31, 2015
Tree Board Account – $6915.19 Arborist Account – $1237.50

Chairperson Report: – Martha Davis –
34 letters were sent to residents in the targeted right-of-ways areas of Indian Ridge Road, Kitty Hawk Way, and Bon Fire Way inviting them to apply for new trees. 10 residents responded. Board members unanimously approved the inclusion of the 10th application which came shortly after the deadline.
The viburnum on the Windy Hills Green has been cleaned up.

City of Windy Hills Report: – Kate Greer
The city has asked Mike Hayman to look at the trees on Ambridge and bill the city. The WHTB will assume responsibility for the Ambridge trees in 3 years (2018).

Arborist Report: – Mike Hayman
Someone has planted three Sweet Bay magnolia trees on Westport Road at the Foeburn Lane entrance. This is a concern as the trees are not part of the design and may not meet Ky Highway Department concerns.
Mike has resigned from his duties as arborist for the city at year end in order to give more time as a volunteer for Trees Louisville, an innovative effort to provide trees throughout the city of Louisville. He will remain as arborist for The Windy Hills Green.
5 trees (all Tupelos and Gingkoes) have been chosen and reserved for the Rudy Lane portion of the 2015 Work Plan. They will be planted by mid-December.
Mike will follow up with the HomeOwners Assoc. leaders of Bentwood Place Court to complete that project.

Membership: – There will be one opening on the board due to Martha Davis’ completion of her term. Terese Fister has also tendered her resignation due to health concerns. This leaves one 3 year term and one 1 year term to be filled. The board discussed each of the persons who responded to the invitation for applicants. Members unanimously approved Shaun Danahy and Ward Wilson as the nominees for the 3 and 1 year terms respectively beginning January 1, 2016. Martha Davis will contact them and the names will be submitted to the council for approval. Other applicants will be notified and thanked for their willingness to serve.

Open Arborist Role and Work Plan Projects: – Caroline Westfall has been approached to be retained to work with the WHTB. She is a Certified Arborist who works for Greenhaven Tree Care and has worked for the City of Windy Hills before. The board will recommend Caroline be appointed by the city council to be the tree board’s arborist. Because of previous commitments, she feels she cannot commit to the ongoing Indian Ridge Road area fall planting.
In light of that, the board unanimously agreed to contract with The Plant Kingdom for their certified arborist Andy Smart to work with residents on the selection and planting of trees on Indian Ridge Road, Kitty Hawk Way, and Bon Fire Way. The expense limit for each property is $300 including the arborist’s time, tree selection and planting costs.

Plant for the Planet Grant: – The board unanimously approved a decision to apply for the LG&E grant. The deadline is December 1, 2015. Cheri and Kate will write the grant proposal.

Amy Carter will contact Terese Fister and be in touch with LawnCo as liaison from the board for their ongoing services.

Martha Davis agreed to be responsible for the Tree City USA application.

Marcia Myers agreed to maintain the Master Tree List.

The next meeting will be Thursday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m.