CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. on February 9, 2012, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon.
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Commissioners Present |
Council Liaison |
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Bobby Townsend |
Russ Sibliger - ABSENT |
|
Tracy Peddicord |
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|
Tom Myers |
Staff Present |
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Casey Roland |
Michael Pina, Assistant Planner |
|
Russ Neff |
Anne Thayer, Parks Horticulturist |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 5, 2012 Commission Minutes: Neff motioned/ Peddicord seconded to approve the January 5, 2012 regular meeting minutes Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed. The minutes were approved as submitted.
WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM
None
TYPE II REVIEW
No actions to review
TYPE I REVIEW
No actions to review
DISCUSSION ITEMS
The Commission discussed Arbor Day activities for the upcoming year. The Commission would like to utilize the Groasis boxes for demonstration sites around the city. One idea is that the Commission performs a demonstration at the annual Earth Day celebration at Science Works. Staff will follow up with Science Works and the Earth Day organizers to discuss further. Other sites using the Groasis Box would be in North Mountain Park, perhaps during Bear Creek Festival, and on ‘Rocky Point’, an area uphill and south of North Mountain Park. Staff will also work with the Parks department to create an informational display to describe the Groasis boxes
Also during Arbor week, the Commission would like to plant a non-Groasis tree with the Siskiyou School perhaps within Clay Street Park. Roland will stop into the school to talk with the administrator to see if this is feasible. The Commission would also like to have a second installment of “Arbor Art”, art that celebrates trees at the Ashland Art Center. Staff will follow p with Art Center Staff to see if this is feasible.
In researching a fencing “lockring” to be placed around tree protection fencing, Roland found several options that could work and be affordable enough for the tree commission’s budget. Staff will discuss with other planning staff about having this incorporated into the current tree protection fencing inspection that staff currently performs. Additionally staff will also try to produce an example of “under review” card that can be placed on trees associated with planning actions.
Staff discussed citing the Ashlander apartments for topping three trees without permits. At a base fine of approximately 270 dollars, the Ashlander was cited over $800. Staff is requesting that in addition the base fine, that the apartments remove the remainder of the trees and replace with a more appropriate trees that will function in the space provided.
Chair Townsend submitted his letter of resignation to the Tree Commisson.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm. The Next Meeting will be Thursday March 8, 2012
Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner
