HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-08-16 Beautication CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
August 16, 1976 - 11 :55 A.M.
Present: members - Wallace, Macy, Roberts, Conger
ex officio - Bauman, Payne
guests - Mayor Pasley, John Rank
Late arrivals: members - Rankin, Gledhill
ex officio - Raymond
guest - Don Horan
The meeting was called to order in the Council chambers by Vice Chairman Roberts.
Vice Chairman Roberts reported that Jerry Ogstad is not requesting to be excused
from the last three regular meetings. A000rding to the rules of this Commission
his position on the Commission was declared vacant.
The minutes of the meeting of July 19, 1976 were approved as received by members.
Trees - It was announced that Mayor Pasley has appointed a Tree Committee to
work with this Commission in reviewing present ordinances and making recommendations
for revisions. Members of the Committee are Jess Payne and Councilmen McCluskey,
Bauman, and Raymond. Jess Payne proposed that Nile Mallory of Wasatch Chemical Co.
and Bob Woods of Woody's Tree Service by added to the Committee. Val Wallace
moved that these two be appointed. Seconded by Marge Macy. Passed,
Mayor Pasley stated that he receives the most calls concerning two portions of
the current ordinance. The requirement that trees be trimmed to not less than
14 feet above roadways and 8 feet above sidewalks is very difficult to enforce.
The requirement that property owners remove diseased trees often involves older
u people living on very small fixed incomes who cannot afford the cost of tree
r l removal.
Jess Payne stated that the City owned sprayer with the addition of a needed new
pump has the capacity to handle City spraying but that no sprayer is effective
unless sufficient chemical is used. City spraying this year was contracted to
A-Able Pest Control because all City crews were tied up at the time it needed to
be done. Mayor Pasley reviewed past spraying programs. Two years ago the City
did the spraying and did a very poor job. Last year the City hired an outside
firm and a worse job was done. This year property owners have been told to do
their own, spraying and very few have complied. Jess stated his belief that the
best way iro assure a good job done would be for the City to hire extra men for
about four months each year. Their primary duty would be spraying but they could
be used in other areas during the few slack spraying periods. John Renk stressed
the importance of spraying because not only does the bark beetle carry Dutch Elm
disease, but the leaf beetle weakens a tree so that it becomes more susceptible
to the disease°
12:15 P.M. Late members and guests arrived. Discussion continued.
City owned equipment includes a tree spade and chopper but nothing for actual •
tree or stump removal.
The current ordinance prohibits the removal of trees on City rights-of way without
a permit which is being' supplied by the Building Inspector's office. Very few
people obtain a permit. Don Horan stated that ideally the application for permits
elq‘ should be taken by the City Clerk and then referred to the proper department, the
Park Superintendant in this case, for approval. After approval, the permit should
then be issued by the City Clerk. Failure to obtain a permit is a misdemeanor but
local magistrates are extremely lenient on enforcement. No provisions are made in
the current code for required replanting°
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CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION .
Regular Meeting - August 16, 1976
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A Trees (continued) - A tree trimmers license is also currently required at a fee
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of $5.00 which should probably be increased to $25.00 to cover processing costs.
Insurance and bonds are required but license restrictions need to be reviewed.
Mayor Pasley stated that he has received a legal opinion that a Citywide L.I.D.
could be formed to remove trees, replant, and repair or replace sidewalks.
Don Horan stated that such an L.I.D. could be staggered with various sections of
the City scheduled for different years. Feasibly the entire City could be redone
'$ over a five year period.
Jess Payne stated he believes the first priority is the establishment of a tree
nursery. The City has land available and a mart who will do the watering. Trees
would then be available for planting under such an L.I.D.
It was noted that the Boise ordinance provides planting zones which have been
established according to soil and growth conditions. Discussion indicated that
1 any revision of the Caldwell ordinance should include such a zoning map. Jess
stated he could draw up such a map. Also discussed was the possibility of
including requirements that zoning permits for both commercial and residential
developments include and require landscaping.
Rip Gledhill expressed the opinion that the public needs to be made aware of
the existing ordinanoe. Positive press releases are necessary. He volunteered
to work on any public education programs.
The possibility of planting small trees between or beneath existing elms to serve
1 as replacements when the elms have to be removed seems to be illegal according to
the current ordinance.
Mayor Pasley pointed out that the second paragraph of the existing Specifications
for Planting (8-2-4) is unclear. Possibly the simple requirement that no trees
or shrubs may be planted within 20 feet of any intersection would be sufficient.
General feeling of those present was that the current ordinance needs to be
strengthened to include requirements to replaoe and repair with mandatory stiff
fines for violations.
The Boise Ordinance is to be given to City Attorney Bob Tunnicliff for study and
comparison. He is then to meet- with Jess Payne, Don Horan and at least one
member of this Commission and draw up proposed revisions utilizing input from
this meeting. These proposals will then be presented to a special meeting of
this Commission and the Tree Committee for review and/or approval.
John Renk is to prepare a press release stating that the Tree ordinances are being
reviewed and asking interested citizens to present their suggestions for revisions
to the Mayor or this Commission by September 1, 1976.
Quiet Park - Bobbie Rankin reported her further investigations on the potential
quiet park at Ohio and Maple as follows:
Underground irrigation is available for the area.
The City Water Department has been irrigating and mowing the land.
Playground equipment would not be necessary because a parochial school
playground is very close.
The land is City owned
When all adjacent residents were polled, there was not one objection to
the establishment of a quiet park at that site expressed. At the
time residents were polled, possible bad aspects of the park were
pointed out to them.
CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting - August 16, 1976
Page 3
Quiet Park loontinued) -
Jess Payne has viewed the site and is in favor of the establishment of
a park there.
Jack Johansen of the Water Department has voiced his approval.
Shirley Conger reported she had contacted Scott Bistline, president of Rotary,
about the possibility of Rotary Club becoming involved in the project either with
work or money or both.- He will schedule a presentation to the membership to
ascertain their interest in such a project. gen Roberts will make the
presentation.
Bobbie Rankin will present the findings and thoughts of this Commission to the
Parks and Recreation Commission at their regular meeting this week for their
approval.
Vacancies on Commission - Names were presented for consideration as possible
appointees and will be contacted to see if they would accept appointment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:40 P.M.
Shirley Conger
^^ Secretary