1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) October 15, 2015 3. PUBLIC COMMENT 4. OLD BUSINESS VERO BEACH TREE AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MEETING Thursday, November 19, 2015 9:00 a.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Vero Beach, Florida AGENDA A) Centennial Tree Planting Project B) Tree Protection Ordinance and Mitigation Fines for Improper Pruning 5. NEW BUSINESS A) Tree Dedication Application from Angela Astrup B) Review Draft Annual Report 6. TREASURY REPORT 7. CHAIRMAN S MATTERS 8. MEMBER S MATTERS A) Next Meeting Date December 17, 2015 9. ADJOURNMENT This is a Public Meeting. Should any interested party seek to appeal any decision made by the Commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, they will need a record of the proceedings and that, for such purpose, they may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Anyone who needs a special accommodation for this meeting may contact the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at 978-4920 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
VERO BEACH TREE AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, October 15, 2015-9:00 a.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Vero Beach, Florida PRESENT: Chairman, Karl Zimmermann; Vice Chairman, Daniel Downey; Members: Cynthia Schwarz, and Marilyn Black Dussault Also Present: Grounds Maintenance Manager, Nanette Haynes and Senior Administrative Assistant, Rita Hawkins Excused absence: Chris Runge 1. CALL TO ORDER The Chairman called today's meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Senior Administrative Assistant performed the roll call. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) September 17, 2015 Mrs. Dussault made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2015 Tree and Beautification Commission meeting. Ms. Schwarz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. None 3. PUBLIC COMMENT 4. OLD BUSINESS A) Centennial Tree Planting Project - Prospective Plans Ms. Nanette Haynes, Grounds Maintenance Manager, reported that she did not bring the plans for Royal Palm Pointe and Cardinal Drive with her, because they are multiple pages and very large. She explained that at Royal Palm Pointe they will only be able to replant trees where they remove the Washingtonia Palms because of how the irrigation is configured. She stated that Mr. Monte Falls, Public Works Director, received the Overlay Plan for Cardinal Drive. When looking at it she did not see a huge landscaping impact in that plan. Ifthey put a median down the middle ofcardinal Drive it will only be five (5) feet wide, so in that narrow of a space she is not sure how much of an impact it would create for a centennial project. This would also be a huge project that would have to go into the capital budget. She feels that Royal Palm Pointe is a more appropriate and workable area. Mr. Zimmermann asked Ms. Haynes if she thought that Royal Palm Pointe would be a big enough project to attach to the tooth Anniversary ofthe City ofvero Beach. Ms. Haynes thought that would be a philosophical question. A couple of reasons she looked at Royal Palm Pointe was because they are losing the Washingtonia Palm Trees due to a disease, it is property Tree 1 4
that the City maintains already, there is irrigation, and there has been a resurgent ofbusinesses. Quail Valley is going in there, there are restaurants, and more events are taking place there. This was the only location she could come up with to fit the qualifications of having something that is meaningful for the centennial celebration and has high visibility. Mr. Downey stated the question remains is if it would be eventful enough. He asked if they would just be replacing Palm Trees that are dying. Ms. Haynes explained that they discussed removing all the Washingtonia Palms and replacing them with a different kind oftree. They tossed around the idea of using some flowering trees. Since there is a fungus in the soil they will probably have the same situation if they plant Palms again. She said that Mr. Falls suggested not using the same species, but to mix it up with a variety of smaller flowering trees. Ms. Dussault asked what kind offlowering trees is she thinking about using. Ms. Haynes commented that she will still do some research, but there is the white Geiger Tree that is hearty and flowers all year round, the pink Tabebuia Tree has a finer bark and smaller leaves, and there is one variety of a Cassia Tree that grows more in a round shape. They could also incorporate some smaller Evergreen Trees in with the flowering trees. Ms. Dussault stated that she likes the idea of the flowering trees because it would add more to the area and not be all green. Mr. Zimmermann said they need to go back to the impact ofthe project and they need to visualize the size and scope ofthe Washingtonia Palms. They will be removing very tall Palms and planting much smaller flowering trees. This is an Anniversary celebration and they want do something to commemorate it, but he wonders ifthey will potentially be creating a situation where people will say they liked it the way it was before. Ms. Haynes replied that the only time you see the impact of the tall Palms is when you are coming over the bridge, but from the pedestrian standpoint they are seeing grey trunks. She commented that she receives a lot of calls from people in that area complaining that the Wahingtonia Palms need trimmed, they are making a mess, they are dropping boots, etc. Mr. Zimmermann replied that he understands their issues and they are trying to improve the aesthetic. Ms. Haynes agreed that the impact would be changed, but that does not mean there would not be an impact at all. Ifthey bring the height down to people level with nice flowers it would just have a different impact. Ifthey go back to the Cardinal Drive option she is not sure how much of an impact it will have with only a five (5) foot wide median to work with. Mrs. Dussault agreed that she does not see the impact of it. Ms. Haynes explained that the Cardinal Drive project was an Overlay Plan and currently there is no money in the City budget designated for this project. Mr. Zimmermann suggested that they go back to the Royal Palm Pointe idea then. He feels that there is a definite need for a professional landscape plan for that area if City Council will agree to this project. This in an important street and it is becoming even more important with the development and Page2 4
that is taking place there. They are also talking about making this that banner project for the 1 OOth Anniversary, so it needs to be something that "pops". The density of the trees and the color groupings are very important to what really make a statement when people drive in there. Ms. Haynes stated that she could do a landscape plan and does not see the need to spend money on an architect when they have limited funds. This project will consist of planting about 100 trees, which could easily cost $40,000. There were originally 152 Wahingtonia Palms planted in that area, but they would not need to plant a new tree for every Palm Tree that is removed. Mr. Zimmermann added that there will also be the cost of removing the Palms. He commented that the Tree and Beautification Commission has some money in the Tree Replacement fund to start this project. He would hope that the City could put aside some money from their budget for this special 1ooth Anniversary celebration. Ms. Haynes stated that from her experience in going through the budget process, her opinion is that they should not expect to have a big pot of money. She would rather see them plan a project they can budget with the money they have and with what they can raise from outside sources. Mr. Zimmermann agreed that there probably will not be a big pot of money, but this event is four (4) years away. He believes that in the budget process the City should be able to pull together $20,000 $40,000 to celebrate this centennial anniversary. They need to start discussing this plan with City Council to make sure it is something they want to do. Ms. Schwarz commented that years ago Royal Palm was the avenue everyone traveled to go to the beach and back, so the nostalgia is worth addressing. She still believes that there should be a focal point ofone ( 1) huge Royal Palm that would be designated as the 1 ooth Anniversary tree. Mrs. Dussault asked ifthe Washingtonia Palms have to be removed because of the fungus shouldn't that expense be on the City and not the Tree and Beautification Commission. Whether or not this Commission plants anything, she sees it as a City problem and they would be the ones paying to remove the trees anyway. She asked how many of the Washingtonia Palms could be infected over the next few years with knowing how this fungal infection spreads. Ms. Haynes replied that the City might be taking out five (5) or six (6) of them a year. Mrs. Dussault said ifthe City wants to really celebrate this event then she would like to see a joining of the forces. Ms. Haynes stated that it may be possible for the City to remove the Palms over a period of time, because it would just involve labor costs. Ms. Haynes and the Commission members discussed fungal infections and how improper trimming and pruning causes the spread ofdiseases and even death to trees and palms. B) Tree Protection Ordinance and Mitigation Fines for Improper Pruning Mr. Zimmermann announced that he received a note from Ms. Gayle Lafferty, Planner, which states that due to the workload in her department they have not done any updating or finalizing of the Tree Protection Ordinance. 5. NEW BUSINESS 3 4
None 6. TREASURY REPORT Mr. Zimmermann stated that in the note from Ms. Lafferty she reported there have been no changes to the dollar amounts in the accounts. 7. CHAIRMAN'S MATTERS Mr. Zimmermann asked the Commission members to keep their eyes open for trees being removed or improperly pruned, especially as people are returning here for the winter. 8. MEMBER'S MATTERS Mrs. Dussault said that next year before the hurricane season they should think about coming out with something, with the City's approval, on how to prune trees and palms. Ms. Haynes replied that the University of Florida has publications geared towards homeowners explaining how to prune correctly or to be able to inform someone that is hired how to prune. Mr. Zimmermann said that perhaps the way to approach it would be to have access to the links on the City's website so that people can go to the links and receive the correct information from the experts. A) Next Meeting Date - November 19, 2015 The next meeting ofthe Tree and Beautification Commission is scheduled for November 19, 2015. 9. ADJOURNMENT Today's meeting adjourned at 9:57 a.m. /rh 4 4
APPLICATION TO TREE & BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION FOR TREE DEDICATION On 10/17/00, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2000-25 requiring the City's Tree and Beautification Commission to review all applications to plant dedication trees. This application shall be filed with the Department of Public Works for review and submittal to the Tree and Beautification Commission for approval. Representing 1jj,lli;U!!1Ll1iltli..P--Organization,~----------- City~L(Q- Area Code 11'l.Phone #...,,..._..._..._.. Preferred Dedication Date ~~~-~~-----~---~~-------~--~~ If so, show the wording you are requesting: h 1 bthif\d btnch \Jthe oo.k rree hind +he swin~~ Cost of Tree: Cost of Plaque: _...... (By DPW) (By DPW) Total Cost: Tree Planting Fee: Recommended for Approval 0 0 DedicaUon No. 2006 J1_ Yes No () (V\ By Public Works Director_~..._""'+";~ --... 1-""'ff;;;;..;~o::;::;...;:;;.....:../... D.,..[_t.._..[$ By City of Vero Beach Tree and Beautification Commission, Authorized Signature