Tree and Storm Water Advisory Board on July 13, 2022

Agenda

7:00 pm, City Council Chambers, 1 Quail Creek Circle, North Liberty, Iowa

This meeting may be accessed live by the public in person or on the internet at northlibertyiowa.org/live, on Facebook at facebook.com/northliberty or on YouTube at youtube.com/northliberty. Meetings are rebroadcast on cable and available on-demand on northlibertyiowa.org.

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approval of Minutes
    1. April 13, 2022
  3. Public Comment
  4. Member appointments – Welcome back Michael Burrill & Darice Baxter
  5. Appointment of board positions
    1. Chairperson _____________
    2. Vice Chair. _____________
    3. _____________ (Kevin McGrane will continue as Secretary if no one else is interested)
  6. Tree Reports
    1. MidAmerican 2022 Trees Please Grant Application (West Lakes trees are now planted)
    2. Two memorial trees planted at Centennial Park (Cathy Harney family members)
    3. Tree Removals and maintenance (Ash trees, Creekside oak, Bike trail overgrowth)
    4. Emerald ash borer update
  7. Storm Water Report
    1. Storm Water GIS data collection
    2. Storm water cost share program – budget update
    3. Other storm water topics not listed
  8. Old Business
  9. New Business
  10. Next Meeting
    1. October 12, 2022, at 7:00pm.
  11. Adjournment

Minutes

Call to Order by Abdouramane Bila-Chairperson.

Board members present: Darice Baxter, Michael Burril, Mike Wolfe-Stormwater Coordinator, Brian Hamer-Arborist

Approval of Minutes for April 2022 meeting. Motion by Darice Baxter, second by Michael Burril. Motion carried

Abdouramane Bila opened the floor for Public Comment with no public comments to address.

Abdouramane Bila discussed board member terms of Michael Burril and Darice Baxter expired June 30 both have agreed to continue to serve on the board.

Abdouramane Bila discussed the appointment of board positions. Abdouramane Bila will continue as chairperson, Michael Burril will continue as vice chair, Kevin McGrane will continue as secretary.

Brian Hamer provided an update that the MidAmerican Trees Please Grant 2022 was received. The $1,000 were used to plant trees at West Lakes to fill in between the trees that had been planted previously. Additionally, two memorial trees were planted at Centennial Park. The two oak trees were donated by the Harney family.

Brian Hamer discussed the tree removal and maintenance that has been done. Two large ash trees were lost due to Emerald Ash Borer, one at Cornerstone park and the other at Fox Run park. A large oak tree as lost at Creekside commons due to safety concerns along the bike trail. The bike trails were also cut back for better visibility and safety.

Brian Hamer discussed that the city trees are currently holding on but are stressed by the Emerald Ash Borer. The treatments appear to be effective as the neighboring trees are dying at a much greater rate.

Abdouramane Bila asked how one would go about planting a memorial tree if desired. Brian Hamer directed anyone considering a memorial tree to contact Guy Goldsmith.

Abdouramane Bila inquired whether there is a one to one replacement for the trees that were lost. Brian Hamer discussed the aforementioned Trees Please Grant which is used to not only replace trees that are lost but allow for a net gain of trees for the city.

Darice Baxter questions if the city will be partnering with MidAmerican or Alliant energy to have a tree sale as they have in the past so residents who have lost trees can purchase a replacement. Abdouramane Bila mentions that at the previous meeting Guy Goldsmith had not heard of any near North Liberty and this event often rotates locations

Mike Wolfe provided an update on the mapping of storm sewer system that will be occurring over the summer. This is the biggest part of the GIS project and will likely continue on until winter. Once completed the whole city infrastructure will be mapped.

Mike Wolfe provides an update that with fiscal year there is again money available for storm water quality improvements. Mike states that he ran out of money last year and had to unfortunately turn some people away. Community members are encouraged to apply for financial assistance with storm water quality projects such as soil quality restoration or rain gardens.

Michael Burril asks Mike Wolfe how much money has been budgeted for the cost share program. Mike Wolfe states the $20,000 has been budgeted. Abdouramane Bila asks approximately how many projects this would help cover to which Mike Wolfe responded about 20-25 projects.

Abdouramane Bila asks Mike Wolfe what the benefit is to the mapping of the infrastructure would be. Mike Wolfe answers that the efficiency of finding and fixing any problems is much improved. Additionally, any work done on the infrastructure can be tracked for monthly or annual reports.

Abdouramane Bila opens the floor to old business with none to address.

Abdouramane Bila opened the floor for New Business with none to address.

Next Meeting date: October 12th, 2022 at 7:00 pm

Motion to adjourn by Darice Baxter, second by Michael Burril. Motion carried

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