Loading...
2010-09 CSCSeptember 21, 2010 REGULAR COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, September 21, 2010, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) PRESENT CSC Members Dan Edgerton, Greg Mangold, Gerry Charnitz, Arlan Nelson, Sarah Till, Reed Bornholdt, Joe Springer, Bob Shotwell, Rodney Schmidt, Michele Thompson Planning Commission Rick Jabs Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Chris Link, Karen Shragg ABSENT Council Liaison Fred Wroge Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Charnitz called the regular CSC meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Till moved, seconded by Nelson, to approve the minutes of the regular August meeting. Approved, ayes all. Discussion Items Diseased Tree Policy Topitzhofer introduced Streets/Forestry Supervisor Link, who explained that the City doesn’t have a written tree removal policy for trees in parks; the policy addresses boulevard trees. He said that staff uses some informal policies, like time limits once a diseased tree is determined to be in need of removal. Link said that park trees are maintained differently from boulevard trees and park trees are typically handled as little as possible. Nature Center Manager Shragg said that they may consider how high-traffic an area is around a diseased tree and the tree density surrounding the tree before removing it. She said that a nature center may also allow for trees to fall naturally more often than in a park, mainly if there are fire-hazard issues. Link said that downed trees are left in other parks, too: Vets, Taft, possibly Adams Hill, etc. Topitzhofer said that it may be written into a policy that some parks require a more aggressive removal policy. Topitzhofer asked if staff should draft a policy and bring it to the CSC. Charnitz said that staff should do that to distinguish how trees in certain areas are handled and bring it back to the group. Nelson asked if the policy would draw a distinction between a natural area and a park. Topitzhofer said that we would probably name specific parks in the policy. Wood Lake Fence Line Policy Topitzhofer said that trees in Wood Lake, often short-lived box elders, frequently fall on the fence line between the Nature Center and a residential property. He said that it’s most often an issue in the south to southeast corner and the northwest corner. He said that staff has considered clearing a buffer between trees and the fence line, which will also provide access to the fenceline and will be a proactive way to clear some of these problematic trees. Shragg said that trees can cost the City $1,200 to remove a tree and $1,000 to repair the fence. Springer said that he lives by the nature center and one year, when four or five trees fell, a buffer zone would not have prevented one of trees from hitting the fence. Nelson said that he looked at the fence line and said that many of the trees on the inside of the fence lean away from it and would not be of concern; also, Nelson said that you can access many areas by truck. Topitzhofer said that the fence is actually inside the nature center property line a little ways. Jabs asked if a tree would be removed that was on the outside of the fence, but inside the property line. Nelson said that staff may be able to just remove some trees that are clearly at risk of falling. Jabs suggested a public meeting before removing any trees. Springer asked how often trees fall on the fence. Shragg said three or four a year fall. Shotwell said that we don’t remove boulevard trees to prevent them from falling on somebody’s property, so the nature center shouldn’t remove a healthy tree. Shragg said that staff could choose to do nothing now and see when the next one falls. She said that staff could inventory the trees and remove any that are imminently ready to fall. Jabs said that the CSC should hear input from the neighbors before removing any trees. Link was asked about the policy when a boulevard tree falls on private property; he said that the City removes it. Charnitz said that there’s precedence for that part of the policy. Shragg said that the policy should state if staff is obligated or not to repair a damaged but functional fence or completely remove a tree, versus just moving it onto nature center property. Schmidt said that staff could survey the property right-of-way along the fence before the meeting. Topitzhofer said that staff would likely have the meeting first, then discuss removing trees that are likely to fall soon. Charnitz asked how the removal policy differs from the boulevard removal policy. Shragg said that access to the area is a key difference. Charnitz said that the group seems to be suggesting a tree inventory and a public meeting. Edgerton said that there may be some precedence for land that’s on the opposite side of a fence from a landowner, so the City may not have the right to remove trees on nature center property if it’s on the homeowner’s side of the fence. Committee Reports FOWL: Shragg reported on the FOWL Ball event. Transportation Commission: Shotwell provided the report. Bike Planning Group: Edgerton provided the report. Veterans Park Planning Group: Topitzhofer provided the report. Honoring All Veterans Memorial: Schmidt provided the report. Planning Commission: Springer provided the report. Arts Commission: Thompson provided the report. Other Topitzhofer reported that the City just bought the property on the southwest corner of 76th and Portland Avenue, so Roosevelt Park has been expanded. Next Meeting/Adjournment Regular October Meeting Tuesday, October 19, 7:00 pm, Community Center (7000 Nicollet Ave) Schmidt moved, seconded by Springer , to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:19 pm. DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC.