MORGANTOWN BEAUTIFICATION MEETING MINUTES

 

DECEMBER 13, 2006, 4:00

 

Attendees: Neva Gocke, Frank McGreevy, Ralph LaRue, Marilyn Bowers, Kara Hurst, Don Spencer, Anne Cumming, Marchetta Maupin, Bill MacDonald, Dale McGill, Donna Ford-Werntz

 

Park Memorial Regulations

 

The commission was to develop a list of questions pertaining to the issues to be addressed regarding the placement of memorial items in the park.  It was determined that a draft letter to the families who have memorial items in the park would be written and reviewed.  Frank and Ralph will be working on the letter.

 

South University Islands

 

Linda Bagby from Biafore Landscaping submitted a proposal for planting and a monthly maintenance program for the project.  The cost will be $149.00/month for seven (7) active growing months, plus $129.00/year for fertilization.  One replacement per plant and one watering session is included in the maintenance price.  Lane closures and permits for installation were discussed.  It was determined that the plan will allow adequate space for mowing and turning radiuses for the 42” bar mower that the city will use in the space.  Plants have been chosen based on salt tolerance and height.

 

Don Spencer made a motion to approve the South University Avenue Island plan.  All were in favor.  Plan will be delivered to Don Boroff, along with a preliminary installation proposal from Biafore Landscaping.

 

Airport News

 

A proposal from Biafore Landscaping for the airport landscaping projects was discussed.  It was determined that the north and south end slope would require large 12 to 24” river rock at a cost of $6,150.00.  The total weight would come to 20 or 30 tons of rock, and it would all be hauled and placed by hand.  The cost includes weeding.

 

Tree Board

 

Anne Cumming was present to inform us of several things regarding the Tree Board:

 

1.      The Arbor Day celebration is in its 10th year and many tree-planting projects have been done throughout the city.  A few hundred trees have been planted. The maintenance of these trees would best be accomplished by hiring an arborist, or an Urban Forester.  Anne provided the commission with a suggested contract for this position, which will be given to the City Manager.

2.      Anne suggested that the new trees on High Street need some preemptive structural pruning to make sure they grow properly.  There are also trees on Walnut Street and Pleasant Street that need some attention.

3.       An inventory of trees was done at some point in the past that is now out of date and needs to be updated using GIS, a modern computerized system (Geographical Information System).

4.      Anne would like to see a website with public information on pruning techniques and other information such as the Wooly Adelgid pest that is killing Hemlock trees.

 

A motion was made by Don Spencer to submit an interim plan for developing an urban forestry position to Don Boroff.  All were in agreement.

 

Budget priorities

 

This years budget priorities were briefly discussed and are as follows:

 

Mississippi Exterior Screening

Krepps Park Pool

Arbor Day

 

Adopt a  Street Program

 

Donna Ford Werntz brought the issue of “Campus Life” where an article recently appeared featuring the Adopt a Street Program.

 

Spruce Street Tree Planting

 

Don Spencer provided us with a plan to plant several trees in rock planters on Spruce Street.  Don made a motion to submit the plan to City Council.  Due to items that still need to be addressed in the plan, Chairman Bill MacDonald tabled the motion.

 

Proud of Our Town Award

 

Sandy Poulson has written a note of explanation and thanks to Patricia
Miller of Cobun Avenue, who nominated a residence on Pietro St. for the Proud
of Town Award. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:00

 

Dale McGill