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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-04 Arborist Advisory Committee Minutes Arborist Committee Minutes September 4, 2020 Page 1 of 4 ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 MEETING MINUTES PUEO CONFERENCE ROOM – COUNTY BUILDING 25 AUPUNI STREET, SUITE 1501, HILO, HAWAII ATTENDANCE Committee Members Present: Leonard Bisel, Chairperson James Boyd Friday Carol Wyban (by video) Maurice Messina (Chief Executive Assistant to the Mayor) John Mukai (Corporation Counsel) Committee Members Excused: Jonathan Sudler, Vice-Chairperson CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Bisel at 10:05 a.m. STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC None APPROVAL OF AUGUST 7, 2020 COMMITTEE MINUTES th Maurice Messina made a motion to accept the minutes from August 7. JB seconded the motion. Chair Bisel wanted to make a correction: Under the REPORT FROM NATASHA SORIANO RE: PROPOSED IN-PROGRESS PLANT LIST COMPONENT FOR THE COUNTY COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM Bisel wanted to replace the word some with all in his comment about plants vetted as far as invasiveness Amended motion to accept corrected minutes made by Maurice and seconded by JB. The Committee voted 4-0 to approve the minutes. 1 Excused. APPLICATION FOR VACANT AAC POSITION Bisel mentioned that he’d been notified by the Mayor’s office that there was a recent applicant from West Hawaii. Bisel noted that he’ felt the applicant would make a great addition to the Committee. The Mayor’s office is currently reviewing the application. Arborist Committee Minutes September 4, 2020 Page 2 of 4 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 Maurice did not have an update. He mentioned that the County is currently on a hiring freeze. STATUS ON COMMITTEE MEMBER EXCEPTIONAL TREE NOMINATIONS JB said that he started working on the nominations of the Bayans trees at Hilo Intermediate. Carol started out with the coconut grove along bayfront highway but moved onto the monkey pod tree at Alae Cemetery. She felt that putting a plaque up among the headstones or tree would be distracting. She is still looking for another tree nomination. Carol wanted to know if we are looking for other species of trees are relevant. Leonard responded yes, absolutely. JB agreed with Leonard. He felt that native species are good, but other trees that were brought in that are doing well here are good too. STATUS OF COMMITTEE MEMBER ASSESSMENTS OF EXISTING EXCEPTIONAL TREES JB mentioned that Asia Wasser can see when he enters info into the survey. He wanted to know who will work with Asia to produce the updated list. Bisel responded that the purpose of the app so that it could be collected and downloaded directly into the database. He added that it would be nice to coordinate all the nominations and bring it to the County Council. STATUS OF NEW COUNTY ARBORIST POSITION Bisel mentioned that agenda item 5a had to do with coastal access and trails and item D is the Arborist Position. Maurice mentioned again that funding for the position is the biggest issue since the County is on a total hiring freeze. 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. Arborist Committee Minutes September 4, 2020 Page 4 of 4 Maurice suggested that JB, and others send their comments to him, that way we can forward it on to Robyn. th Maurice asked if the deadline could be Wednesday, September 9. Bisel will inform Jonathan about the deadline to submit his comments. ANNOUNCEMENTS No Announcements ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair Bisel at 10:27 a.m.