Tree Advisory Board

1 City of Gainesville Tree Advisory Board Meeting MINUTES February 12, 2025, 3:30 p.m. Historic Thomas Center, Building A 302 NE 6th Ave Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Marc Frank, Ryan Klien, Claire Manley, Lauren McBride, Erick Smith, Teagan Young _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER This meeting was called to order at 3:43 pm Members Present – Chair Smith, Member Manley, Member Klein, Member Frank, Member McBride, Member Young Others Present:-- City Arborist Dave Conser, GRU Forester Joe Wolf, Coordinator Sam Schatz, Horticulturist Julie Sager, Urban Forestry Inspector Chesea Proia B. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Member Manley, seconded by Member Frank that the agenda be approved - Unanimous C. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Motion was made by Member Manley, Seconded by Member Frank the minutes of January 8th be approved. Unanimous. D. GRU UPDATE

2 Joe discussed a recent roundtable GRU hosted with FMPA (Florida Municipal Power Agency). FMPA helps Florida’s 31 municipal electric utilities. GRU’s cycle trimming, hazard tree evaluation and private assists align with others. All of us are struggling with contract tree trimmer employee retention. He then discussed fiber optic damage to the underground utility infrastructure (water/sewer/gas/electric). Water/Wastewater dig ins have increased 3-fold, damages estimated to be $500K. Most damages occurs to home water and sewer lines and are unreported. Most water/sewer damages go undetected, costing customers when backups happen and they call a plumber. When found, GRU investigates and bills the contractor. If dig ins to utilities are happening, dig ins and damage to tree roots are also Board discussed unreported damages to trees, how to enforce, the difference between ROW vs public tree damages, future tree issues. Dave will look into how to best address the situation. He also mentioned locking in natural gas prices as a hedge against increases, saving 1.2 million dollars. E. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Dave discussed a recent tree board of appeals decision. Tree removals are visual, he is getting calls all the time about trees coming down. He discussed a recent case involving a removal without a permit and the financial outcome. They are now writing land management plans for all land purchased with TMF. Chair Smith asked who is implementing, reply was Public Works retains control and contractors would implement. The long discussed watering contract is at the tail end of the process. Julie discussed straightening trees planted on SW 62nd Blvd, recent longleaf plantings on Bouleware Springs property and the ongoing sponsorship of trees by public individuals. 526 Trees of 35 different species were given out at their Arbor Day event. The event was a success. The Urban Forestry Workshop is set, Fruit and shade trees will be planted at the VFW on Waldo Road, the Burch property sold, Bee City USA installed a garden at Tom Petty Park. A discussion was held on Flexipave and its maintenance. Members Klein and Manley provided their experience with the product. F. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Chapter 23 Code Discussion Member McBride offered to spearhead discussion on this topic, having extra meetings, still under sunshine in order to finish it. Board were in agreement.

3 Sam reviewed his presentation on code updates. Board added details, explanations, etc as needed. 2. Median Tree Replacements and Palm Removals Dave was given direction to identify medians that lack trees and put them back where appropriate He was also directed to remove all median palms. Direction came from public comments about palms on Depot/Main dying and looking bad for downtown. Board unanimously disagreed with the blanket removal philosophy, instead favoring only removing those that have died. Member McBride cited the chestnut removals up north – a knee jerk reaction that in hindsight was a bad decision. He also cited that these palms were only planted because highway design specs precluded other trees. Chair Smith mentioned Noel Lake (who championed tree plantings) pushed for many of the Phoenix palms that have died. Board agreed that more study is needed on lethal bronzing before using a knee jerk reaction and removing all palm trees. The disease does not seem to be as drastic as predicted and millions of palms throughout the state are either unaffected or surviving. A motion was made by Member McBride, seconded by Member Frank that the Tree Advisory Board advises the City to refrain from preemptive removal of palms in city medians but to only remove the dying palms on a case by case basis. Further, the Tree Advisory Board are in favor of replanting suitable species in the open median spaces. G. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. H. MEMBER COMMENT In minutes above I. NEXT MEETING DATE Next meeting was scheduled for March 12th J. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 5:33 PM