THE FLOWER MOUND TREE BOARD MEETING HELD ON THE 15th DAY OF APRIL, 2003, IN THE FLOWER MOUND TOWN HALL, LOCATED AT 2121 CROSS TIMBERS ROAD IN THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, COUNTY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AT 6:00 P.M.
The Tree Board met in a regular session with the following members present:
Karen Archambault Chair
Philomena Weatherby Vice Chair
Alton Bowman Member
Bob Rheudasil Member
Randal Wilson Alternate Member
Linda Williams Alternate Member
with the following members of the Tree Board absent:
Rosemarie Swan Member
constituting a quorum with the following members of the Town Staff participating:
Kevin Charles Environmental Review Analyst
Rebecca Madsen Environmental Resources Clerk
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Archambault called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
There were no comments.
C. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Board Member Weatherby gave the Invocation, and Board Member Bowman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. CHAIR/BOARD MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
E. STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kevin Charles, Environmental Review Analyst, stated the Keep Flower Mound Beautiful Texas Trash-Off, which was organized by the Environmental Health Services Division, took place two weeks ago. He stated the event resulted in the removal of 636 bags, or 42 tons, of trash. He stated the event was successful.
F. CONSENT AGENDA - Consent Item
Chair Archambault read the item on the Consent Agenda.
Board Member Wilson made a motion to approve by consent, Item 1. Board Member Bowman seconded the motion. The item, as approved by consent, is restated below along with the approved recommendation for each, for the record.
1. Consider approval of minutes from the regular meeting of the Tree Board held on March 18, 2003.
RECOMMENDATION: Move to accept the minutes from the regular meeting of the Tree Board held on March 18, 2003, as written.
VOTE ON THE MOTION
AYES: Board Members Wilson, Weatherby, Bowman, Rheudasil
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Board Member Swan
G. REGULAR ITEMS
2. Consider a recommendation to Town Council to designate a forty-three (43) inch caliper Pecan Tree as a Historic Tree. The tree is generally located east of Gerault Road and south of FM 3040 (Flower Mound Road).
Chair Archambault read the regular agenda item.
Mr. Charles stated the tree under consideration was a forty-three (43) caliper inch pecan at Gerault Park. He stated the Board had color photographs in their packets. He stated the tree was adjacent to the temporary animal services building. He stated the tree was of specimen size. He stated he thought the tree had historic significance because the tree was located on the historic Gerault family homestead.
Mr. Charles stated the tree was in exceptional health. He stated a year and a half ago, he aerated the soil and fertilized and mulched the tree. He stated the tree was surrounded by a split rail fence built by an Eagle Scout one year ago. He stated the Parks Services Department established a Liberty Garden in proximity to the tree to commemorate September 11, 2001.
Mr. Charles stated he thought the tree deserved to be designated as a Historic Tree. He stated the Town might have plans to expand the park adjacent to the tree, and designating the tree as a Historic Tree would grant it additional protection and maintenance.
Chair Archambault asked Mr. Charles for the tree's current designation, and Mr. Charles responded that it was a specimen-sized tree. Mr. Charles stated the Town was the owner of the tree because the tree was on Town property.
Chair Archambault asked if this tree was the same tree the Board was asked to name a year ago, and Mr. Charles stated the Board was going to name the tree the "Liberty Pecan," but the Town decided to name the garden instead of the tree.
Mr. Charles stated that at this time, the Board was asked to officially designate this tree as a Historic Tree. He stated that if the Board made a recommendation to designate the tree, Town Council would consider the designation on the next agenda.
Board Member Bowman asked if he was correct in understanding that the Historic designation had either a size requirement or a requirement of historic importance.
Mr. Charles stated the Board could reference the item summary, which stated that a Historic Tree is designated upon recommendation by the Tree Board to the Town Council because of its historic significance, historic value, size, or a memorial dedication. Mr. Charles stated that the Majestic designation was made by size alone, whereas Historic Trees were designated when the Board made a recommendation to Town Council.
Board Member Wilson asked whether Mr. Charles knew of development plans near the tree, and he asked how development might impact the tree.
Mr. Charles stated he thought that in the future, the Parks Department would expand Gerault Park to provide more services. He stated he did not know if or when development plans might be in effect. He stated a Historic Tree designation would grant more protection to the tree.
Board Member Bowman stated he would like to express his support of the designation. He stated he thought it was important that the Town and the Board set an example to residents and developers by designating this tree as Historic and thereby showing that trees were important to the Town. He stated the designation would preserve the history and memory of the site. He asked why the lower branches had been removed, and Mr. Charles stated the Town had to prune the trees to prevent people from climbing the tree.
Mr. Charles stated that Eagle Scouts had installed the split rail fence. He stated that before the fence was installed, people were parking under the pecan tree.
Board Member Rheudasil asked whether Mr. Charles knew the cost of a lightning rod to protect the tree, and Mr. Charles stated he did not know the cost.
Mr. Charles stated he had already spoken with Mike Reber, Park Services Manager, about adding lightning protection to several of the Town's large trees. He stated he would be happy to research the feasibility of lightning protection
Board Member Rheudasil encouraged Mr. Charles' suggested research.
Board Member Bowman made a motion to recommend to Town Council to designate a forty-three (43) inch caliper Pecan Tree as a Historic Tree. Board Member Weatherby seconded the motion.
VOTE ON THE MOTION
AYES: Board Members Rheudasil, Bowman, Weatherby, Wilson
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Board Member Swan
3. Discussion of the Tree Board's role relative to the administration of the Tree Farm/Environmental Learning Center site north of Forest Vista Elementary School.
Chair Archambault read the regular agenda item.
Mr. Charles stated the Board had been given a letter in their packets explaining the transfer of the oversight of the Tree Farm and Outdoor Learning Center from the Park Board to the Tree Board. He stated this transfer would give the Board the opportunity to make decisions such as the type of species placed in the tree farm and the type of events allowed at the tree farm, for example. He stated the Park Board thought transferring this oversight authority was a logical move.
Board Member Rheudasil asked if the Board would be able to select the species in the tree farm, and Mr. Charles answered yes.
Mr. Charles stated the selection of species was a major concern of the Parks Board.
Board Member Bowman asked if the tree farm was a temporary site for trees which would later be transplanted, and Mr. Charles answered yes.
Mr. Charles stated the new tree farm would function in the same way as the previous tree farm, but the site would be smaller. He stated the Town would plant trees, let the trees grow to a certain size, and then transplant the trees to parks or public properties.
Board Member Rheudasil asked how the trees would be watered on the tree farm site.
Mr. Charles stated that the closest water line was at the last house on the street to the north of the site, which was 400 feet from the tree farm. He stated a temporary dam in the creek was considered, but there was an issue that the creek was occasionally empty during the dry season. He stated another possibility discussed was a low water crossing. He stated the Town was still in the planning stages with the tree farm.
Chair Archambault asked if the Town had a tree farm right now, and Mr. Charles stated no.
Mr. Charles stated the tree farm was in transition between the previous site and the future site currently in the planning stage. He stated that all the trees from the previous tree farm site were removed during tree digs.
Board Member Rheudasil asked if the Town could use water out of the creek and use city water only as a supplement.
Mr. Charles stated the issue had not been researched thoroughly. He stated that during preliminary planning meetings, the only concern about creek water was that the creek was not a constant reliable source. Mr. Charles stated that planning would progress more in-depth in the future. He stated that transferring the oversight from the Parks Board to the Tree Board was a part of the preliminary planning stage.
Board Member Rheudasil stated he thought it was worth the effort to use creek water and supplement the creek water with city water.
Mr. Charles stated he agreed.
Board Member Wilson stated he agreed with Board Member Rheudasil in his preference for using natural water sources as a primary source. He asked what the timeline of the preliminary planning stage was.
Mr. Charles stated executive staff was discussing the timeline, and as soon as he knew detailed information, he would let the Board know. He stated the executive staff wanted to expedite the tree farm planning process. He stated part of the process was getting the property in the Town's possession.
Board Member Wilson asked how much the Town budgeted for the tree farm, and Mr. Charles stated he did not know. Board Member Wilson stated he would like to know the funds the Town had budgeted by the next Board meeting plus a general timeline for how the tree farm would proceed. He stated he would like to know approximately how many trees the tree farm could accommodate. He stated the Board would also like to know what tree species were currently proposed so that the Tree Board could provide input.
Board Member Weatherby asked whether the tree species in the tree farm would be from the Town's approved tree list, and Mr. Charles answered yes. Board Member Weatherby stated that the Tree Board had previously requested only trees from the approved list be planted because the tree farm trees were eventually moved to parks.
Board Member Bowman asked if the outdoor learning center was associated with curriculum in the schools.
Mr. Charles stated the outdoor learning center was not presently associated with curriculum, but it would be associated with what the teachers wanted to do in an outdoor learning setting. He stated an open-air pavilion was proposed. He stated weather stations or other low maintenance projects were possible. He stated the biggest issue with the outdoor learning center was in controlling accessibility to the site, especially in regards to vandalism.
Board Member Bowman stated that perhaps the Board could coordinate with the schools in selecting species which might enhance the school's education program.
Board Member Wilson stated he wanted to thank Mr. Charles, Town staff, and the Mayor for deciding to transfer the oversight of the tree farm to the Tree Board.
Chair Archambault asked whether rainwater recycling was considered for the tree farm, and Mr. Charles stated this could be a possibility.
Mr. Charles stated the Town would consider all options of using natural water.
Chair Archambault stated that at the last tree dig, she had spoken with Mr. Reber. She stated he discussed his interest in establishing an environmental learning center, walking paths, signage, and identification of tree species. She stated she strongly suggested the Town look at the Lewisville Independent School District Outdoor Learning Area (LISDOLA). She stated she had worked at LISDOLA for the last four years, and she stated the Town could learn something from the project.
Mr. Charles stated April 25 was Arbor Day, and the Mayor would read a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day at the April 21 Town Council meeting.
Chair Archambault asked if the Town was planning on giving away trees.
Mr. Charles stated he had approximately thirty trees which were available to give away. He stated the Town gave away forty trees at the Keep Flower Mound Beautiful Texas Trash-Off.
Chair Archambault asked if the Environmental Resources Division was going to set up a table at the May 10 Wildflower festival.
Mr. Charles stated that Town staff had set up two booths at an event at Parker Square last year, but he was not familiar with the event Chair Archambault mentioned. He stated staff answered questions from residents about the tree ordinance, development issues, upcoming events, and building codes at the Parker Square event last year.
Board Member Bowman stated he had been researching Bur Oaks. He stated he visited the largest Bur Oak in Texas with John Cooper, of the Denton County Cooperative Extension. He stated he had information about this State Champion Bur Oak and he distributed information to the Board. He stated some of the information concerned the Bur Oaks located on the Hillwood development project which the Board had reviewed in a previous meeting for tree removal permits.
Board Member Bowman asked Mr. Cooper what the biggest Bur Oak in Denton County was, and Mr. Cooper stated there was a 36-inch-diameter Bur Oak in Hickory Creek. He stated this information meant that the two Bur Oaks on the Hillwood property were the biggest Bur Oaks in Denton County, to Mr. Cooper's knowledge. He stated he asked Mr. Cooper where the Bur Oak State Champion was, and Mr. Cooper answered the State Champion was in the Red River bottoms, which was in the Eastern Cross Timbers region. He stated this tree was 84 inches in diameter, which was twice the size of the two Bur Oaks on the Hillwood property. Board Member Bowman stated that in his research, he found a Bur Oak of sixteen feet in diameter, in the Hurd Museum.
Board Member Bowman stated that when one particular Bur Oak went down in a storm, six feet of interior was rotten and open. He stated he wanted to mention this because of his concern over the testimony regarding the Hillwood oaks as in poor health. He stated that his research indicated that a characteristic of Bur Oaks was the ability to live with a rotten or dead interior. He stated that a previous State Champion was listed as in good condition, but when the tree went down, it was found to be rotten inside. He stated maybe it was typical that Bur Oaks were rotted in the trunks. He stated that the tree which was rotten in the middle was producing acorns and leaves until it died. He stated the Board needed to look at the trees as being live and viable until pronounced dead.
Mr. Charles stated that heartwood rot was very common and found in most oaks. He stated heartwood rot could hollow out a tree over time. He stated one of the trees at the Hillwood site had the crown broken, and he was certain that the tree had heartwood rot. He stated he would like a copy of Board Member Bowman's information to take to his supervisors.
Board Member Bowman stated that in one of the photographs in the information he distributed, there was a tree with a split trunk and heartwood rot which lived 400 to 450 years. He stated the floodplain presented the perfect situation for longevity of Bur Oaks. He stated that he found the largest Bur Oaks located in river bottoms.
Mr. Charles stated he would give copies of Board Member Bowman's information to Timothy Riley, Environmental Resources Manager, and Julie Smith, Executive Director, Development and Environmental Services.
H. ADJOURNMENT
Board Member Wilson made a motion to adjourn at 6:37 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, and Member Bowman seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS
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Karen Archambault, Chair
ATTEST:
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SECRETARY