July 13, 2011

Maumelle Tree Board
Minutes
July 13, 2011

The Maumelle Tree Board met Wednesday, July 13, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at the Maumelle Community Center.  Present were Bilenda Harris-Ritter, Maggie Elvey, Donna Meeks, Dave Wahlfeld, Karen Holliday.  Also present were ex officio member Phillip Raborn and consultant Pete Rausch.   Terry Jones president of the “Friends of the Park at Lake Willastein” attended the meeting as a member of the public.

Bilenda called the meeting to order.  A motion was made by Donna and seconded by Maggie to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2011 board meeting.  The motion carried.  Donna gave the Treasurer’s report.  The current balance is $246.81.  There have been no expenditures or income in the last month.  It was moved and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report as read and the motion passed unanimously.

Old Business

Hazardous Tree notifications

Bilenda reported on her meeting with Mayor Watson regarding Tree Board issues raised at the July meeting.  They discussed the Tree Board ordinance language related to the tree hazard notifications.  The Mayor agreed that the notifications must come from code enforcement and indicated code enforcement is sending those letters at this time.  She later spoke with City Attorney JaNan Davis regarding the ordinance.  Both Ms. Davis and Mayor Watson indicated the Ordinance will be amended to state that the notifications will be sent by the City code enforcement department.

Term of Office for Tree Board Members

She also raised the issue of the Tree Board member term legth.  The Mayor indicated that the terms will stay at three years.  He indicated this is the shortest term on any City board or commission.  He clarified that the ex officio members will attend the Tree Board meetings.  He stated at least one of them will be at each meeting.

Tree Board revenue sources

Also discussed was whether the Tree Board could sell “tree” shirts or calendars to raise funds since there is no revenue stream for the Board.  The Mayor said the Board could do that and that these items could be sold through the Community Center in the same manner the Maumelle shirts are sold.

Tree Board Saplings

Bilenda moved 20 trees from the property of Jim and Jan Hogue where they have been stored for approximately 3 years. They are now at her home where they can be watered more regularly.  Many still need to be moved and she contacted Chief Williams to see if people performing Community Service could move them as part of their Community Service.  Chief Williams indicated he would research the possibility.  She then asked Phillip  if his staff could move the rest of the trees and he indicated he would schedule the work.

New Business

Bilenda suggested we form an auxillary/support group to help with Tree Board projects.  Groups suggested as contacts are scout groups, an ecology club if there is one at Maumelle High School and/or Academics Plus Charter School, The Maumelle Garden Club, Friends of the Park at Lake Willastein. Terry Jones said there are members of her group who might be very interested in being part of an auxiliary group for the Tree Board.

Boulevard Tree bladders

Public works staff members have placed bladders on the boulevard trees.  Pete Rausch recommended the Board establish a two-year maintenance plan for these trees to have bladders.  He also recommended the same time frame for trees planted at the ball fields and Lake Willastein and Lake Valencia.

Arbor Day

Maumelle Arbor Day 2011 events will be November 5, 2011, the first Saturday in the month.  Bilenda and Maggie will chair the event and Donna will coordinate the poster contest as she has in the past.  The Board voted to plant a tree at the Community Center in honor of Jim and Jan Hogue for their work in support of the Tree Board.  Bilenda and Maggie will report at the August meeting regarding the theme and events for this year.

Greening of Arkansas Grant

Bilenda indicated there is a Greening of Arkansas Grant Program in conjunction with the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show.  The grant is for $1,500 and the Board can compete for the grant if an application is submitted by September 15.  Pete Rausch will draft the plan for review at the August Board meeting.  It will be for a planting of crepe myrtle trees near Carnahan on Maumelle Boulevard.

Tree Board Vacancies

The application period for the two remaining seats on the Tree Board has been reopened through July 25.  The new members will be appointed by the Mayor at the August 1 City Council meeting.

Tree of the Month

Dave will not be continuing the Tree of the Month feature on our web page.  Bilenda will research other sources to continue this feature on our web page.

Additional Tree Board Ordinance Changes

Dave suggested the Board submit to the City Attorney recommended changes to the Ordinance to address timeframes for the planting of trees at commercial; construction sites in Maumelle.  The Board will address this at the August meeting along with landscaping guidelines drafted by Pete.

City Tree Ordinance requirements

Phillip was asked about the tree stumps left at various places around Lake Willastein in light of the City Ordinance indicating the stumps are to be removed below ground level when a tree is removed.  He states public works has a stump grinder and he will follow up with them on this issue.

Board Officers

Maggie agreed to serve as Board Secretary.  The officers are now Bilenda, Chair, Donna Vice Chair/Treasurer and Maggie Secretary.

Next Meeting

The Next meeting will be August 10 at 6 PM upstairs in the Maumelle Community Center.  Bilenda adjourned the meeting at 6:59 PM.  There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:59 p.m.