URBAN LANDSCAPE COMMISSION MEETING

December 16, 2009

 

Attendees:  B. MacDonald, S. Poulson, B. Bowers, J. Steketee, A. Tanner, J. Selin, R. Larue, A. Cumming, M. Maupin, J. Lattanzi, K. Lozier (our new 3rd ward representative).

 

Minutes were read and approved from the November meeting pending a few corrections:

 

                Under New Business/Guests – Ashley (Kyber) – last name needs added

                Under Old Business/Rawley Lane – 1st sentence should read:  The plan for work in this area has been approved but not yet budgeted by the City Manager.

                Under Project City Report, 1st paragraph – 3 days a week should be changed to 4 days a week

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

AECON, 4th Block High Street Streetscape

 

Fritz Boetner and Ann Hereford of Downstream Strategies returned to give us an update on their work.  They attended a design meeting with Main Street Morgantown and they were seeking input from the ULC regarding the Speager Lot and the parking lot beside the old City Pharmacy on High Street.  We can do nothing with the Speager Lot unless the City allocates money for planters and the other parking lot is maintained by Dorsey Kiger.  The plant selection for the next stage in the renovation of High Street needs to be changed to match what is already planted.  They need to also look at the placement of the trash can in the drawing so we don’t have the same problems we had in the earlier renovation.  We will ask our Chair, K. Hurst, to respond with our comments.  David Weaver with AECON may be able to attend our next meeting so we can discuss our concerns with him.

 

Tree Trimming – Allegheny Power

 

There is still no Tree Board Chair but our Tree Board Rep. told us that Allegheny  Power is getting a new contact for trimming trees from Beechurst Ave. toward Star City.  Someone from the ULC should meet with them and our Chair and Dan Brown are the contacts.  This is the opportunity to talk to them and express our opinion on what and how the trimming should occur.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

MUB Trail Work

 

We received a handout detailing the location of the upcoming sewer work down by the trail and it doesn’t appear to be bothering any of the current tree plantings.

 

Downstream Strategeis on Progress of Rawley

 

The Downstream Strategies representatives tell us they are working on the Rawley Lane project and that they met with MUB and talked about other projects.  They are exploring where they could get porous concrete and what amount of right away they would be able to utilize at the Rawley Lane area.  When we have more details to pass on to them, they can do a little more.  They have money for planning but not for implementation.  This information can be passed on to the contractor.  The question was, “can we encourage the city departments to use this group’s expertise.  The Sunnyside Up project design for Grant Ave. would be a good place for interaction.

 

Commission Vacancies

 

Kitty Lozier has joined our membership as the 3rd Ward Representative.

 

Bumpout Fencing for Projection

 

Pictures of fencing were circulated showing  the enclosure open from the street side.  Everyone agreed that they liked that concept and agreed on a 30” tall minimum height.

 

Library Trees

 

Our Tree Board Representative has bids from Ken Beasley.  There are 3 different bids.   As previously agreed, the 2 middle trees will be removed to ground level and plates will be put over the stump.  Motion  was made and approved unanimously to accept the bid for this tree removal and for pruning trees on the Morgantown cross streets. 

 

Airport Landscape Rehab of Flagpole Island

 

The new Airport Manager, Glenn Kelly, has his own plans for work needed at the Airport.  We will ask him to attend our February meeting.

 

PROJECT SITE  REPORT

 

Work continues throughout the winter months.  Our City representative has her Annual Report ready to go to City Council.  We reviewed  a plan for the Mountaineer Heritage Park showing their new road and the additional parking provided.  Trees that were taken down will be replaced.  Our City Representative will try to get the up-to-date landscape plans for our next meeting.

 

BOPARC  REPORT

 

Disk golf is on the agenda and will be installed at Dorsey’s Knob.  At Marilla, the plan is to move the basketball court near the skate board area.  Possibility is to use the area with Astroturf for camps, etc.  BOPARC is trying to leave the old shirt factory building.  The Farmer’s market has been moved to Marilla Center for the winter months (Saturdays from Noon-3:00 PM).  There is a plan to connect the new Soccer complex on Mon Blvd., to the trail that goes around the Krepps dog park.  The trail has been laid out. 

 

PROUD OF OUR TOWN AWARDS

 

Contact has been made with Gene Perelli about his renovated house on Kingwood St.  The commission members will be e-mailed when all the arrangements have been made.