Draft Meeting Minutes of 1-28-15 — original pdf

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+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, January 28, 2015, - 5:30 p.m. Northwest Recreation Center 2913 Northland Austin, Texas Board Members in Attendance: Board Chair Chris Kite, Board Vice-Chair Peggy Maceo, Board Members Patrick Brewer, Keith Brown, Nick Classen, Ryan Fleming (left meeting at 7:05PM), Len Newsom Staff in Attendance: Parks and Recreation Department Lara Schuman, Acting Program Manager, Forestry Unit Robert Clawson, Nature Based Programs Division, UFB Staff Liaison Planning and Development Review Department: Emily King, Acting Urban Forester Michael Embesi, City Arborist Lynn Tozser, Program Specialist Austin Energy Department: Ray Henning, Line Clearance Supervisor Public Works Department: Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager Watershed Protection Department: John Clement, Environmental Program MEETING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Kite called the meeting to order at 5:42 PM. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of December 17, 2014. Motion made by Board Member Newsom, seconded by Board Member Brewer to approve the meeting minutes of December 17, 2014. Approved Board Chair Kite and Board Members Brewer, Brown, Classen, Fleming and Newsom. Board Vice-Chair Maceo opposed. Motion carries. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first 4 (four) speakers signed up prior to the calling of the meeting to order are allowed a three-minute allotment each to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Guy LeBlanc – Zilker bike race damage. Zoila Vega – Austin Heritage Tree Foundation – Zilker trees.  Michael Fossum – Zilker trees. D. ANNOUNCEMENTS  Memorial planting of Survivor Tree at Fort Hood tomorrow.  The Environmental Board is having an Urban Growth Policy and Development subcommittee meeting this Friday (January 30th) at 11 a.m. on the 11th floor of the One Texas Center. The meeting will include discussion about tree impacts from the recent Cycling CycloCross Bike Race at Zilker Park.  The transition of the selected Urban Forestry employees from PARD to PDRD is underway. This transition is based upon the City Council resolution from last August which identified that the six full time planning personnel be transferred to PDRD (while keeping the maintenance and operation personnel with PARD). Please know that Emily King has been appointed as the City’s Urban Forester and Lynn Tozser has commenced training (present tonight) to facilitate future Urban Forestry Board meetings as the Staff Liaison.  Forklift Danceworks performance will be April 11 &12  There was a planting at Battle Bend park on 1/31, where seedlings were planted in no-mow zones in partnership with Watershed Protection. E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Emily King, Environmental Program Manager, Planning, Development and Review Department, including:  Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update. Presentation Given.  Monthly Notification: Removal of protected size trees on parkland that constitute an imminent public safety risk. Presentation given.  Summary of impacts to tree roots in Zilker Park from the U.S.A. Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships that occurred from January 7-12, 2015. Presentation given. UFB working group to be formed – Board Vice Chair Maceo and Board members Brewer and Classen.  Update -- Public Works Department. Presentation given. F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS 1. Overview of UFB By-Laws and functions to prepare for possible special called meeting with Environmental Board related to transfer of UFB responsibilities to Environmental Commission. Presenter: Chris Kite, UFB Board Chair. Item discussed. G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action on UFB By-Laws and functions to prepare for possible special called meeting with Environmental Board related to transfer of UFB responsibilities to Environmental Commission. Presenter: Chris Kite, UFB Board Chair. No action. To be placed on February 18, 2015 Agenda. H. BRIEFINGS – 10 Minute Limit For Each Briefing 1. Austin Energy Line Clearance Monthly Update – December 2014. Ray Henning, Line Clearance Superintendent, Austin Energy. Presentation given.  2. City Arborist Program Tree Preservation and Replenishment Monthly Update December 2014. Michael Embesi, City Arborist, Planning and Development Review Department. Presentation given. 3. City Arborist Program Heritage Tree Report – December 2014. Presenter: Michael Embesi, City Arborist, Planning and Development Review Department. Presentation given. I. FUTURE ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Update from Treaty Oak Task Force Working Group. Presenter: Patrick Brewer. February meeting. Grant application requesting $30,000.00 for vertical mulching on the Shoal Creek Restoration Project. Presenter: Watershed Protection Department. February meeting. J. ADJOURNMENT Board Chair Kite adjourned the meeting at 8:02PM. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications are provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 4 (four) days before the meeting date. Please call Robert Clawson at the Parks and Recreation Department, at 978-2600, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Urban Forestry Board, please contact Emily King at emily.king@austintexas.gov or by phone at 974-9548.