2020-09-04 Arborist Advisory Committee Minutes

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Arborist Committee Minutes September 4, 2020 Page 3 of 4 STATUS OF BANYAN TREES ALONG BANYAN DRIVE Bisel explained that Jonathan was working on this and believed the banyan trees along banyan drive were exceptional. Since Outdoor Circle published them in their book (Majesty) there should be some record of the acceptance of these trees. Final acceptance would have been by County Council. “Those records don’t just disappear” Bisel added. Carol questioned if the trees are exceptional, what sort of budget is there to take care of them because that is a problem. JB said it does not fall under any funding. Bisel noted that, if the trees are located within the County right-of-way, there should be funds available somewhere to maintain the trees. JB noted that much of this area is State owned property. Bisel noted that the banyan trees have been a topic of discussion over the years. He noted that the Outdoor Circle is interested in confirming if the banyan trees are exceptional so that they can assure they are protected. Maurice went to the Planning department and County Clerks Office. He was told that they are searching for the records but cannot find it. Maurice sent Jonathan what other records they did find. Maurice added that “everybody knows that they are exceptional, but where are the records showing that actually happened, that is the issue” JB added the banyans are not on the list that we all have so that implies that something didn’t happen at some stage. COMMITTEE MEMBER ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON IN-PROGRESS PLANT LIST FOR COUNTY COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM JB mentioned some comments:  Show the weed risk assessment for all the plants  Have a column of what is endemic and indigenous and what is non-native.  Salt and wind and water logging tolerance plants JB wanted to add that because, if a plant is invasive, it does not necessarily exclude it from the list. He explained that coffee is invasive, but it is something the island needs to survive.