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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-06 Arborist Advisory Meeting minutes ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE MARCH 6, 2020 MEETING MINUTES HAWAII COUNTY BUILDING, PUNA CONFERENCE ROOM – HILO 25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 1501, HILO, HAWAII ATTENDANCE Committee Members Present: Leonard Bisel, Chairperson James Boyd Friday Jonathan Sudler, Vice-Chairperson Carol Wyban Bobby Camara Maurice Messina (Executive Assistant to the Mayor) Committee Members Excused: Roy Takemoto Kalen Koga (Secretary to the Committee) Note: EA Rose Bautista took minutes for Kalen Koga. GUEST Jeffrey Cabanatan CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Bisel at 10:06 a.m. STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC None APPROVAL OF JANUARY 3, 2020 COMMITTEE MINUTES rd Vice Chair Sudler moved to approve the January 3 minutes. Committee member Friday seconded the motion. The Committee voted 5-0 to approve the minutes. COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES REP. TO ATTEND MEETING TO DISCUSS NEW ARBORIST POSITION The HR representative was not present to discuss the new Arborist position. EA Messina volunteered to follow up with HR. Presentation was tabled to the next meeting. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT COUNTY PLAN OF ACTION TO ADVISE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE MAYOR’S OFFICE TO PURSUE ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO ESTABLISH A TREE MAINTENANCE CREW THROUGH A REORGANIZATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Vice Chair Sudler said there were two private tree trimming companies willing to volunteer their service to trim and maintain the monkeypod trees at the Panaewa Equestrian Center. However, need to be a non-profit organization, a 501 ( c ) (3) to make donation of service. Friends of Panaewa could do it but they are not a recognized non-profit organization. The Outdoor Circle can assist with trimming of the tree crowns and with root mitigation issues. STATUS ON COMMITTEE MEMBER EXCEPTIONAL TREE NOMINATIONS Vice Chair Sudler said an individual was approached to have their tree nominated but person was not interested. There was a suggestion that the grove (which grove???) in Panaewa be nominated as exceptional trees. J Sudler asked for the process for nomination. EA Messina agreed to follow-up with obtaining the procedure to nominate. There were discussions on how to identify and which trees should be nominated. National Park trees, native trees, and those in public lands were mentioned. Chair Bisel said there are lots of trees to identify as exceptional trees. Need to do an inventory of trees and forward list to the County Council for approval. J Friday shared that exceptional and rare trees should be protected from those interested in harvesting them, especially trees in public lands, hence it is important to identify and protect these trees. He mentioned trees should be at least 150 feet to be considered as an exceptional tree. J Sudler asked whether it was possible for the County to identify the obvious exceptional trees in public lands. He informed the group there are approximately 1100 trees listed in the State registry and County of Hawaii only has approximately 31 and should have the largest inventory. B Camara suggested to spotlight endemic trees. STATUS OF RETRIEVAL OF COUNTY ORDINANCES RELATING TO EXISTING EXCEPTIONAL TREES The new County website now has the list of exceptional trees. The Committee had copies of database containing the lists of exceptional trees in Hawaii county. It was suggested that each member look at the lists and see if the trees are still in existence. The Committee divided the responsibilities among themselves to determine status of the trees and to subsequently submit their findings to the group. ANNOUNCEMENTS JB Friday announced that the botanical garden (note: JB, which one?) has opened. J Sudler announced the Outdoor Circle received a $15k grant from the Arbor Day Foundation. Funds will be used for their annual Tree Giveaway scheduled for October 17, 2020 across the Ah Fook Chinen Civic Auditorium. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair Bisel at 11:12 a.m.