City of Madras February 22, 2017
Urban Forestry Commission 6:00 P.M.
216 NW “B” Street
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
- CALL TO ORDER
TheUrban ForestryCommission meeting was called to order byVice Chair Brad Jorgensen at6:00p.m. on February 22, 2017 at the Public Works Building located at 216 NW B Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Rebekah Burchell
Stan Nowakowski
Brad Jorgensen
Gary Walker
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Parks &Open Space Manager; Jonathan Burchell
Public Works Administrative Assistant; Michele Quinn
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of Agenda
- Minutes for the November 1, 2016
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND MINUTES
A motion was made by Stan Nowakowski; seconded by Gary Walker; to approve the
November 1, 2016minutes, and agenda as presented, motion passed unanimously.
III.VISITOR COMMENTS
No Visitors
IV.NEW BUSINESS
Recruitment for Vacant Membership
Michele Quinn told the Commission that we have ran an article in the paper to recruit for new members. If anyone knows someone who would like to become a member have them call me or come see me at City Hall.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
A motion was made by Rebekah Burchell; seconded by Stan Nowakowski; to recommend Brad Jorgensen be Chair for Urban Forestry Commission, motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Rebekah Burchell; seconded by Brad Jorgensen; to recommend Stan Nowakowski be Vice Chair for Urban Forestry Commission, motion passed unanimously.
Holiday Lights in Downtown Trees
Jon Burchell asked the Urban Forestry Commission what they thought about the holiday lights on the trees. Jon said he is considering putting the lights on later in the year and taking them off sooner. Putting them up in November and having them removed by end of January. Jon told the Commission if they left them on any longer the lights could cause damage to the trees.
There was a discussion about when to put the lights up and when to take them down.The consensus was that the Commission was ok with putting up lights in mid-November before the holidays start and taking them down in mid-January depending on weather conditions.
There was also a discussion about having the downtown trees trimmed up this spring so they look nice during the eclipse. Jon Burchell mentioned that he is getting a contractor to do this soon.
C Street Medians
Jon Burchell told the Commission he will be bringing a recommendation to them after July for removing the trees in the C Street medians. Most of them have reached maturity and they are getting beat up. These trees were planted in the wrong place and they are causing damage to the asphalt.They have to be trimmed up to allow the large trucks to pass. Jon told the Commission “I don’t want you to make any decisions tonight but I would like for you to think about what we might do; maybe remove them or possibly replace them.” Commissioner Nowakowski mentioned that for every tree taken out we could replace with two.
There was a discussion about the Spray Park and how the medians on C Street may affect parking and traffic.
Local Government Grant Application for Parks and Open Space Master Plan and Crescent Park Improvements
Michele Quinn told the Commission we will be applying for the Local Government Grant for the update to our Parks and Open Space Master Plan and also Jon will be applying for playground upgrades to Crescent Park.
Jon Burchell added that he has found a play structure that will fit within the foot print of the current playground. It will provide all the items that have been requested by the Yarrow HOA. This will be a nice upgrade for this park.
V. Updates
A.Sahalee Park Tree Replacement
Jon Burchell showed the Commission the pictures of three different maples and explained to the Commission requested he is providing examples. Jon asked the Commission for direction on the variety of tree they would like to have planted around the pavilion at Sahalee Park.
The Commission discussed the tree variety and came to a consensus that they liked the Bowhall Maple.
A motion was made by Rebekah Burchell; seconded by Gary Walker; to recommend the Bowhall Maple be planted in place of the Columnar English Oaks that have died at Sahalee Park, motion passed unanimously.
B. Arbor Day Activities
The Commission discussed when Arbor Day would be and they decided that April 28, 2017 would be Arbor Day.
A motion was made by Stan Nowakowski; seconded by Rebekah Burchell; to recommend April 28th be recognized as Arbor Day, motion passed unanimously.
The Commission continued to discuss the Arbor Day activities and agreed to use the planting of the Bowhall Maples at Sahalee Park as the location of the Arbor Day events. Becky Burchell said she would talk to the Metolius School to see if they are interested in participating in the Arbor Day events. There was also discussion on deciding a theme and giving away bird houses to the winners of the poster contest. During the next meeting the Commission will decide on a theme and discuss the activities.
D. Urban Forestry Management Plan
No Update
VI.ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
Jon Burchell presented the Commission the thank you letter to Bill Miller. Jon asked for the Commission approval of the letter.
A motion was made by Rebekah Burchell; seconded by Stan Nowakowski; to recommend to mail the thank you letter to Bill Miller, motion passed unanimously.
VII.ADJOURN
The Urban Forestry Commission Meeting was adjourned at 6:58p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
______
Michele Quinn
Public Works Administrative Assistant
1- Urban Forestry CommissionMeeting
February 22, 2017 Special Meeting
216 N.W. “B” Street, Madras, OR 97741Telephone (541)475-2622 – Fax (541)475-1038
The City of Madras is an Equal Opportunity Provider