TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
TREE BOARD
April 7, 2015
Members Present:
Marc Christensen, Chairman/Recreation Director
Shawn Warnke, City Manager
Paul Fulgham, Public Works Director
Lynn Green, Parks Superintendent
Lyle Holmgren, City Councilmember
Linsey Nessen, Deputy Recorder
Chairman Christensen called the Tree Board Meeting to order at 12:10 a.m. The meeting was held April 7, 2015 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Chairman Marc Christensen, Manager Shawn Warnke, Director Paul Fulgham, Superintendent Lynn Green, City Councilmember Lyle Holmgren and Deputy Recorder Linsey Nessen were in attendance.
1. Approval of agenda:
Motion by City Councilmember Holmgren to approve the April 7, 2015 agenda. Motion seconded by Superintendent Green. Vote: Chairman Christensen – aye, Manager Warnke – aye, Director Fulgham – aye, Superintendent Green – aye and City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.
2. Approval of minutes: April 30, 2014
Motion by City Councilmember Holmgren to approve the minutes of April 30, 2014. Motion seconded by Manager Warnke. Vote: Chairman Christensen – aye, Manager Warnke – aye, Director Fulgham – aye, Superintendent Green – aye and City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.
3. New Business:
a. Discussion and consideration of tree plantings (Arbor Day)
Chairman Christensen stated that April 24, 2015 is Arbor Day. There has been a lot of discussion on planting trees at the storm basin on 2300 West and 1000 North. Director Fulgham put together a map showing that the top portion of the basin is 265 feet and the bottom portion is 141 feet. There is a concern about planting big trees, as it might block residents’ view of the valley. Director Fulgham stated that he drew big trees on the map because some of the residents don’t like the view anymore because they can only see West Liberty Foods. Big trees will also shade the basin and help keep the grass alive.
Chairman Christensen stated that another issue with the basin is that the only water pulled there is the pump water from the canal, which isn’t available until May 1st. City Councilmember Holmgren stated that the area would have to be watered by hand until then while the trees get started. Director Fulgham stated that he could bring the sewer truck with 700 gallons of water up when needed until the water comes in the canal. Manager Warnke stated that several years ago, City Councilmember Doutre went door-to-door to ask the resident’s their opinion on trees in the basin and would have to check with her on her findings. Superintendent Green stated that the houses sit up high enough that trees shouldn’t block the view.
City Councilmember Holmgren asked if the trees would be planted on the north side of the basin. Director Fulgham stated that is where he proposed. The trees just can’t be placed in the basin as that limits the capacity of the basin. City Councilmember Holmgren asked if there are any lines in the area. Director Fulgham stated that there are fire lines in the street level. Power lines also go along the street level. Manager Warnke asked about fiber optic lines. Director Fulgham stated that the fiber optic lines run through the sidewalk. The only lines running through the center is a water and sewer line, but they wouldn’t be impacted by the digging of trees. Superintendent Green stated that it will be hard to plant trees on the hill because of the slope and the holes will have to be dug by hand.
Manager Warnke asked what trees were suggested in the 2013 Tremonton City Wide Public Tree Inventory and Plan that was created by the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). City Councilmember Holmgren stated that Crabapple Trees are fairly hardy and would do well in this area or Japanese Tree Lilacs would also do well. Manager Warnke stated that a flowering Cherry Tree was also listed as a suggestion. City Councilmember Holmgren stated that if all the same species of Crabapple Trees were planted, they get to be fairly decent size, and it would be impressive.
Manager Warnke asked what size Crabapple Trees would grow to be at maturity. City Councilmember Holmgren stated that they are medium size and could grow to be about 30 feet high. There are Crabapple Trees in Library Park currently that are about 30 feet high. Manager Warnke asked about the longevity of Crabapple Trees. City Councilmember Holmgren stated that the Crabapple Trees in Library Park are probably 50 years old.
Director Fulgham suggested planting 6 trees in this area on his tree planting plan, but stated that it depends on the size of trees chosen. Chairman Christensen suggested, depending on space and availability, planting 3 or 4 trees at the bottom of the basin for Arbor Day.
Motion by City Councilmember Holmgren to approve planting Japanese Tree Lilacs or Crabapple Trees, whichever are available, on Arbor Day at the Storm Basin on 2300 West and 1000 North. Motion seconded by Manager Warnke. Vote: Chairman Christensen – aye, Manager Warnke – aye, Director Fulgham – aye, Superintendent Green – aye, and City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.
b. Discussion and consideration of tree removals
Chairman Christensen stated that there is one dead tree that needs to be removed on the east side of the tennis courts and the dead trees at North Park also need to be removed. Chairman Christensen asked if there were any other trees that need to be removed. Manager Warnke stated that there is a dead tree on Tremont Street in the park strip and others throughout town, and wondered if that was something the City could take care of.
City Councilmember Holmgren asked who owns the trees in the park strip. Director Fulgham stated that the trees in the park strip are owned by the property owners. The City has, in the past, trimmed trees and helped if the property owner couldn’t take care of them and they were a nuisance. Usually if a tree is alive, a notice is sent out to the property owner asking them to contact the City within two weeks to tell them their plans with the tree or the City will be coming to take care of it.
Manager Warnke stated that he would make a list of dead park strip trees and send them through the Work Order system to Public Works. Director Fulgham asked Manager Warnke to get with City Treasurer Sharri Oyler also so notices can be sent out to the property owners.
Motion by Manager Warnke to approve the removal of the dead trees at the tennis court and the dead trees at North Park. Motion seconded by Superintendent Green. Vote: Chairman Christensen – aye, Manager Warnke – aye, Director Fulgham – aye, Superintendent Green – aye, City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.
c. Discussion and consideration of amending the Tree Ordinance
Chairman Christensen stated that Manager Warnke has suggested some proposed changes to the current Tree Ordinance. Manager Warnke stated that one of the responsibility’s of the Tree Board in the Ordinance is the creation of an annual tree plan that would be presented to the City Council. This has been done more informally in the past as the City Council approves a lump sum amount for trees and that is working well. The ordinance has been changed to reflect what is being done.
Manager Warnke stated that the Ordinance firmly identifies the Tree Board Chairman as the Parks and Recreation Director and thought the same should be done for the Vice Chair, as the Ordinance currently reads “The Vice Chair is selected by a vote of the Board.” Manager Warnke suggested identifying the Vice Chair as the City Manager. Chairman Christensen stated that the City Manager would fit well in that role. The Board agreed. Manager Warnke stated that another proposed change was removing shrubs, bushes, and woody vegetation from the Definitions section so the Tree Board is only dealing with trees.
Manager Warnke stated that it would be good to discuss the minimum caliper size the Tree Board wants, as it currently states the minimum caliper size is two inches above ground level. Superintendent Green stated that the caliper size depends on the type of tree. Most of the ornamental trees the City may want to plant will be less than a two inch caliper. City Councilmember Holmgren stated that he could see the wisdom in planting trees with a minimum two inch caliper, but suggested purchasing trees in the future that are rugged enough that they won’t get vandalized. Manager Warnke asked if the minimum caliper size should be removed. Director Fulgham suggested leaving the minimum caliper size but also adding a statement of using the comparable caliper size for the type of tree.
Manager Warnke also suggested changing the Ordinance to allow the Parks and Recreation Director and the Public Works Director the ability to remove trees without approval from the Tree Board. The discussion could still be placed on the Tree Board agenda, if so desired. The Tree Board would be involved in the discussion of tree removal on private property as the Ordinance allows for the removal of hazardous or diseased trees on private property. The Board agreed.
Motion by Director Fulgham to amend the Tree Ordinance as discussed. Motion seconded by City Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Chairman Christensen – aye, Manager Warnke – aye, Director Fulgham – aye, Superintendent Green – aye, and City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.
d. Update on Tree City USA
Chairman Christensen stated that the City was awarded Tree City USA again. This is the 4th year the City has received this award. Manager Warnke asked when the City would receive more Tree City USA signs. Chairman Christensen stated he thought it was after 5 years, but he would ask.
4. Comments/Reports:
a. Chairman/Recreation Director – Marc Christensen
No comments.
b. City Manager – Shawn Warnke
No comments.
c. Public Works Director – Paul Fulgham
No comments.
d. Parks Superintendent – Lynn Green
No comments.
e. City Councilmember – Lyle Holmgren
No comments.
5. Public comments: Comments limited to five minutes.
No public comments.
6. Adjournment:
Motion by Chairman Christensen to adjourn meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
The undersigned duly acting and appointed Recorder for Tremonton City Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Tree Board Meeting held on the above referenced date. Minutes prepared by Deputy Recorder Linsey Nessen.
Dated this _____day of ___________, 2016
______________________________
Darlene S. Hess, CITY RECORDER
*Utah Code 52-4-202, (6) allows for a topic to be raised by the public and discussed by the public body even though it was not included in the agenda or advance public notice given; however, no final action will be taken.