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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-02 Arborist Advisory Committee Minutes Arborist Committee Minutes July 2, 2020 Page 1 of 3 ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE JULY 2, 2020 MEETING MINUTES OFFICE OF AGING, TRAINING ROOM – HILO 1055 KINOOLE STREET, SUITE 101, HILO, HAWAII ATTENDANCE Committee Members Present: Leonard Bisel, Chairperson James Boyd Friday Jonathan Sudler, Vice-Chairperson Carol Wyban Maurice Messina (Executive Assistant to the Mayor) Committee Members Absent: Bobby Camara GUEST Bill Brilhante, Human Resources Director CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Bisel at 10:07 a.m. STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC None APPROVAL OF MARCH 6, 2020 COMMITTEE MINUTES Vice Chair Sudler wanted to make 2 corrections to the minutes.  Change the number of approximately 11000 trees to 1100 listed in the State registry  County of Hawaii only has approximately 31 and should have the largest inventory Committee member Wyban wanted to make 1 correction to the minutes.  To remove the paragraph about suggesting to publicize to submit exceptional tree nomination. th Motion was moved by Sudler and seconded by Wyban to accept the amended March 6 minutes. The Committee voted 5-0 to approve the minutes. COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES REP. TO ATTEND MEETING TO DISCUSS NEW ARBORIST POSITION Arborist Committee Minutes July 2, 2020 Page 2 of 3 Human Resources Director, Bill Brilhante presented at the meeting. He explained to the Committee that the Arborist position was funded by the County Council in 2017 and 2018. However, the position was not filled because no allocation packet was submitted by the department head from the previous administration. Brilhante also mentioned that in addition to the allocation packet, a request to fill form would also need to be submitted by the department to the Managing Director. He informed the Committee that the Mayor has the ability to transfer a position from one department to another. Chair Bisel suggested that the Committee should start by talking with the Mayor’s office. EA Messina mentioned that both Parks and Rec and Public Works are open to having the position transferred over. EXCEPTIONAL TREE DISCOVERY Vice Chair Sudler discovered a notice in the newspaper from June 10, 1991 which described an upcoming public hearing to discuss the nomination of the banyan trees on Banyan Drive for Exceptional Tree status. According to Sudler the Outdoor Circle book Majesty, included these banyan trees. Sudler noted that the trees would not have been included in this book if they were not exceptional. He requested to recertify that the grove of banyan trees is exceptional because it would provide benefits for the County, and hotel owners. EA Messina mentioned that since this is a public notice of a public to adopt exceptional trees, and there should be a publication of how this meeting came out. Chair Bisel, noted that this was a public notice to discuss the nomination. The notice does not include the outcome of the meeting. Further, the final step in the nomination process would include consideration of, and adoption by, the County Council. There should be some records from the County Council or the Planning Dept. EA Messina will email the Director of Planning to see what documentation they have from this meeting and what the vote was. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 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 Chair Bisel mentioned that this is something that was brought up by Roy Takemoto and will be kept on the agenda. Arborist Committee Minutes July 2, 2020 Page 3 of 3 STATUS ON COMMITTEE MEMBER EXCEPTIONAL TREE NOMINATIONS J Sudler mentioned an orchid tree that was by Kalakaua Park. He was informed that this tree was originally planted as a commemorative statement. The 22 year old tree was cut down by County but then was replanted. Sudler wanted the Committees input whether or not this would make it an exceptional tree. C Wyban had a question about the Survey123 app. JB explained to Carol how to use the app and that Asia Wasser maintains the database system. STATUS OF RETRIEVAL OF COUNTY ORDINANCES RELATING TO EXISTING EXCEPTIONAL TREES Chair Bisel explained that at the last meeting they broke up the list of exceptional trees Committee was given the task of going out and verifying their condition and documenting this. JB used the app and located several trees. ANNOUNCEMENTS J Sudler announced that Outdoor Circle was able to facilitate a meeting with Parks and Rec regarding the monkey pod trees at Panaewa Zoo. It was concluded that Mike Kraus will be taking care of the trees in the equestrian center but also the 2 trees in the parking lot as well. JB also had an announcement regarding the Kaulunani State Program and Smart Trees Pacific was working with Cal Poly on developing an urban tree selection database. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair Bisel at 11:18 a.m.