ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

September 9, 2010

CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. on September 9, 2010, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

July 8, 2010 Tree Commission Minutes –   Russ Neff /Casey Roland m/s to approve the minutes of July 8, 2010. Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed.  The minutes were approved as submitted.

A quorum could not be reached for the August 5, 2010 regular meeting, therefore minutes are not available.

WELCOME GUESTS

Michael Dawkins, Planning Commissioner

PUBLIC FORUM

None

TYPE I REVIEW

No Planning Actions requiring Tree Commission recommendation were submitted in August.

ACTION ITEMS

The Tree Commission deliberated over which five of the eight nominated trees were to be on this year’s “Tree of the Year” ballot. Those that were selected are:

Weeping Brewer’s Spruce at 64 Nutley,

Canyon Live Oak at 379 Taylor Street,

Ponderosa Pine at 558 Holly Street,

Cork Oak at 292 Gresham, and the

Podless Catalpa at 200 Sherman Street.

Staff will proceed to create a ballot with the chosen five and give to local media for publication.  

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Commissioners briefly discussed the continuing absence of Commissioner Kencarin and the seat that she will soon vacate. With various commissioners absent, action items are difficult to vote due to the lack of a quorum. Staff indicated that a notice has been placed on the city’s website and CitySource publication. Commissioners echoed that it would be great to have a full commission.  

Commissioners discussed the struggle between the downtown sidewalks and street trees. Potential possibilities include flexible (rubber) sidewalks, small-grated metal barrier mesh for tree roots, and new engineering specs.   

Parks liaison Anne Rich also spoke about the need for better communication between the Public Works and Parks Departments regarding projects that work in close proximity to street trees. Rich asked if a meeting could be arranged between the two departments so that issues can be resolved before arising unexpectedly on site. Staff said that he would communicate this to the appropriate departments.

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Liaison Reports

            None

New Items

Current Balance $GET BALLANCE

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner