Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Arborist Advisory Minutes October 2 2020 Arborist Committee Minutes October 2, 2020 Page 1 of 5 ARBORIST ADVISORY COMMITTEE OCTOBER 2, 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 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 10:02 a.m. STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC None APPROVAL OF AUGUST 7, 2020 COMMITTEE MINUTES th Committee Member Messina made a motion to accept the minutes from September 4. Committee Member JB seconded the motion. The Committee voted 4-0 to approve the minutes. 1 Excused. NEW BUSINESS Bisel shared a letter from the Maui County Arborist Advisory Committee. It was a response to a a request made from Hawaii County to adapt and use Maui County Planting plan. The letter acknowledges the request from September 19th. According to the letter, Maui County will be available to answer any comments or questions regarding that plan. Bisel suggested the Committee download and review the Maui County planting plan which is available on the Maui County’s website. Corporation Council John Mukai recommended that any further action should be placed on the next agenda. Arborist Committee Minutes October 2, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Bisel explained the process:  First step is to place it on the agenda  County Council will work with developers to do improvements  There is a set of guidelines for helping to select the tree based on climate, size, and hazard. JB felt it would be helpful to have a Hawaii County planting place in addition to the Complete Streets project plan. Bisel agreed that they would complement each other. JB added that it would be good to look at it if there are any island specific things that we would want to change. Bisel felt that it would be great to review this plan and then suggest any edits at the next meeting. Committee member Messina suggested we would have to check with Corporation Counsel on the workflow. Messina asked if the County ever had their own plan. JB and Bisel both answered no. Bisel added, the Maui County Planting plan does not prescribe requirements. It suggests that after doing some research, here are the plants that they feel would be best in these types of settings. They are all categorized by size. Bisel wanted to add on the next agenda:  Revisiting the Hawaii County’s Rule 17 landscaping requirements.  He discovered some clauses with the way it is written and would like to discuss what is required for submittals to the Planning Department.  To discuss about trees that are forced into planting spaces that are not adequate. Committee member Wyban spoke with Evelyn Burnett regarding the monkey pod trees at the Panaewa Equestrian Center. She shared that Evelyn and another person submitted exceptional tree nomination forms at the Hilo Mayors Office. Carol expressed her support for the monkey pod trees because they provide shade for the horses and stables. Wyban shared some history of the Equestrian center:  Queen Liliuokalani gave Hawaii Island some land for an Equestrian center near the Edith Kanakaole tennis stadium. The County exchanged that for the Panaewa site. Arborist Committee Minutes October 2, 2020 Page 3 of 5 Wyban felt it was a good idea to nominate these trees since they have historical significance. Kalen will follow up and locate these nomination letters that were dropped off at the Mayor’s Office. 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 Bisel mentioned that this is something that Roy was going to follow up on. He added that Maurice mentioned that the County is currently on a hiring freeze. Bisel asked, “is this something that requires new hires or is this something we can continue to pursue from an administrative standpoint so that when or if funding is available to hire these people? That way when the hiring freeze is over, all the background work has been done.” Messina - for changes to the title or position 2 aspects to consider:  The current hiring freeze that is going on now.  Union Consultation to move around positions from different departments. Messina - this issue is currently on the shelf, because of the new administration coming in and the budget situation that we have. Messina suggested the Committee draft a letter to recommend that the Committee continue as is once the new administration steps in. STATUS ON COMMITTEE MEMBER EXCEPTIONAL TREE NOMINATIONS Wyban wanted to help along with the tree nominations at the Equestrian Center with additional information needed. Wyban discussed the 2 exceptional trees that she previously chose:  Suisan Monkey Pod is alive but has problems. The base of the tree concrete comes up and surrounds the entire base of the tree. There are a lot of cuts on that tree as part of their maintenance and not sure if that affects the health of the tree.  Second tree was at the Laupahoehoe Police Station. A large Puakenikeni tree which roots are under the asphalt and going down a slope. Although it is not getting the nutrients Wyban feels the tree is in ok shape. Arborist Committee Minutes October 2, 2020 Page 4 of 5 Wyban took measurements and photos of both trees and attach will attach them to the form. Bisel added that whenever there is pruning done to an exceptional tree, the Arborist Advisory Committee should be notified in advance. JB asked Wyban if she used the app to enter all her data. She replied no because she was not able to retrieve her password without administrative permission. JB suggested reaching out to Asia Wasser for assistance. Messina provided Wyban with her contact info. Bisel wanted to add to the next agenda, how the Committee can be more proactive in identifying any issues and maintenance of these trees. STATUS OF NEW COUNTY ARBORIST POSITION Bisel shared that this position is sitting idle due to funding. Bisel wanted to know if it is possible to follow up with the allocation packet and the requested Bill without getting into the funding part of it. Messina said he will check with HR on this. 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. Bisel added that Maurice provided Jonathan with everything he needed prior to the last meeting. This will be left on the agenda. COMMITTEE MEMBER ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON IN-PROGRESS PLANT LIST FOR COUNTY COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM Messina did not receive any additional comments. APPLICATION FOR VACANT AAC POSITION Kalen shared that Executive Assistant Rose Bautista is currently working on adding one more member to the Advisory Committee. Arborist Committee Minutes October 2, 2020 Page 5 of 5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Committee Member Wyban announced that UH Press just reissued her book. The book is called Tide and Currents, “Fishponds of Hawaii. Committee Member JB shared that the Ohia Love Festival which is usually held at Imiloa will be virtual this year. He added that his portion will be on the different species of Ohia. The event thst will be taking place on November 16 – 21. More information at rapidohiadeath.org. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair Bisel at 10:46 a.m.