March 18, 2015 UFB Meeting Minutes approved — original pdf

Approved Minutes

+ URBAN FORESTRY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 18, 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, Nick Classen, Ryan Fleming, Len Newsom. Board Member Keith Brown absent. Staff in Attendance: Parks and Recreation Department Pat Fuller, Division Manager, Director Designee Robert Clawson, Nature Based Programs Division Manuel Flores, Parks Grounds Supervisor Planning and Development Review Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, City Arborist Office Lynn Tozser, Program Specialist, UFB Liaison Austin Energy Department Ray Henning, Line Clearance Supervisor Public Works Department Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager MEETING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Kite called the meeting to order 5:40 pm. B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Board meeting of February 18, 2015. Motion made by Board Member Brewer, Seconded by Board Vice-Chair Maceo to approve the meeting minutes of February 18, 2015. Approved by Board Chair Kite, Board Vice-Chair Maceo, and Board Members Brewer, Classen and Newsom. Board Member Fleming abstained. Board Member Brown absent. C. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION None D. ANNOUNCEMENTS  The Planning and Development Review Department will be splitting functions into two individual departments: The Planning and Zoning Department and the Development Review Department. This change will allow for a more efficient distribution of workload and an enhanced focus on necessary process improvements.  Changes to Landscape Ordinance - City staff held a Green Infrastructure Working Group public meeting on March 13, 2015 at Twin Oaks Library. Staff is exploring best practices and opportunities to improve the City landscape ordinance. E. URBAN FORESTER EXECUTIVE LIAISON REPORT – Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, City Arborist Office, including:  Austin Urban Forest Plan Implementation Monthly Update. No questions on the information posted. Will be reviewed at the April 15, 2015 meeting. F. ACTION ITEM BRIEFINGS None G. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS None H. BRIEFINGS – 10 Minute Limit For Each Briefing 1. Austin Energy Line Clearance Monthly Update – February, 2015. Presenter: Ray Henning, Line Clearance Superintendent, Austin Energy. Presentation Given. 2. City Arborist Program Tree Preservation and Replenishment Monthly Update February 2015. Presenter: Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, Planning and Development Review Department. Presentation given. 3. City Arborist Program Annual Heritage Tree Report – 2014. Presenter: Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, Planning and Development Review Department. Presentation given. 4. Update from Treaty Oak Task Force Working Group. Presenter: Patrick Brewer, UFB Board Member. Presentation given. 5. Public Works Department Urban Forestry Program Monthly Update. Presenter: Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager. Presentation given. 6. Parks and Recreation Department Urban Forestry Program Monthly Update. Presenter: Manuel Flores, Parks Grounds Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department. A. Removal of Protected Size Trees on Parkland. Presentation given. 7. Denial of Administrative Heritage Tree Removal at 507 West 23rd Street. Presenter: Keith Mars, Environmental Program Coordinator, Planning and Development Review Department. Presentation given. I. FUTURE ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Action Item Briefing on Draft Cemetery Master Plan: Presenter: Kim McKnight, Project Coordinator, Park Planning and Design Unit, Parks and Recreation Department. April 2015. Briefing on removal of Heritage Tree on Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt. Presenter: Lara Schuman, Acting Program Manager, Forestry Unit, Parks and Recreation Department. April 2015. Briefing on Tree Folks/Grow Green List from Matt Hollon, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department. Action Item Briefing of planting appropriate tree species on city land. Presenter: Rob Grotty, Urban Forestry Program Manager, Public Works. Action Item Briefing on grant applicant request from Pease Park Conservancy. Presenter: Mr. Richard Craig. TBD. J. ADJOURNMENT Board Chair Kite adjourned the meeting at 7:30 pm. 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 Lynn Tozser at the Planning and Development Review Department, at 512-974-2698, 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.