[0:23] test. Test
[2:18] the line.
[3:32] All right,
[3:35] I do have four o'clock on the clock. So,
[3:37] let's go ahead and start the December
[3:39] 11th meeting of the Newport Tree Board.
[3:42] Um,
[3:44] let's uh call a roll.
[3:50] » Brent Owens
[3:51] >> here. Kevin Brogr
[3:53] >> here.
[3:53] >> Neil Connor
[3:54] >> here.
[3:55] >> Don Spalding
[3:56] >> here.
[3:56] >> And Garrett Reinhardt
[3:58] >> here.
[3:59] >> Awesome. Everybody is here. Uh
[4:02] >> Brent, before you jump in, um we have to
[4:04] swear um Garrett in as a board member.
[4:07] >> All right, let's do that.
[4:08] >> With that being said, raise your right
[4:10] hand and repeat. We'll just
[4:15] follow after me and then say I do. I do
[4:18] solemnly swear or affirm that I will
[4:20] support the Constitution of the United
[4:22] States and the Constitution of the
[4:23] Commonwealth of Kentucky and be faithful
[4:26] and true to the Commonwealth of
[4:27] Kentucky, so long as I continue a
[4:29] citizen thereof, that I will faithfully
[4:32] execute to the best of my ability the
[4:33] office of treeboard member according to
[4:36] law. And I do further solemnly swear or
[4:38] affirm that since the adoption of the
[4:40] present constitution, I being a citizen
[4:42] of this commonwealth have not fought a
[4:44] duel with deadly weapons, nor sent or
[4:47] accepted a challenge to fight a duel,
[4:49] nor have acted as a second in carrying
[4:51] such a challenge. So help me God.
[4:54] >> I do.
[4:55] >> Thank you. Congratulations.
[5:01] » All right. With that, uh I know we all
[5:03] received copies of last meeting's
[5:05] minutes. and hopefully had a chance to
[5:07] review those. Are there any changes,
[5:12] amendments needed to those minutes?
[5:19] » I'll make a motion to approve the minute
[5:21] is submitted.
[5:21] >> All right. Can I get a second?
[5:23] >> Second.
[5:24] >> Take the vote, please.
[5:27] >> Don,
[5:28] >> yes.
[5:28] >> Neil,
[5:29] >> yes.
[5:30] >> Kevin,
[5:30] >> yes.
[5:31] >> Frant,
[5:32] >> yes.
[5:32] >> And Garrett, you weren't here for the
[5:34] last meeting. Did you receive a copy of
[5:36] the minutes?
[5:37] >> I would suggest abstaining from
[5:40] >> Yeah.
[5:43] » Let me sign these.
[5:53] Okay. Minutes approved
[5:56] and signed. Um
[6:01] let's move on to the actual public
[6:03] hearing part of the meeting. We will
[6:05] start with case number NTB
[6:08] 2537
[6:10] requested by Thomas Heagle
[6:14] requesting requesting removal of the
[6:17] tree located at 716 Overton Street,
[6:20] Newport, Kentucky. From what I'm
[6:22] reading,
[6:24] Mr. Hugle was not able to attend the
[6:26] meeting.
[6:36] I'm gonna read his official email. Okay.
[6:39] Into the record.
[6:40] >> Um he was unable to make it due to some
[6:42] scheduling conflicts. Um so this tree
[6:44] appears unhealthy. Pictures are
[6:46] provided. I'll hand this to you guys
[6:47] momentarily.
[6:48] >> The tree drops leaves all year long. Not
[6:51] sure if this is common to the species or
[6:52] not. It does appear that the side of the
[6:54] tree over the street area is dying
[6:56] faster than the rest of the tree. The
[6:58] tree appears to drop a sticky mist or
[7:00] sap all year long that covers all the
[7:02] surrounding vehicles. Tree species is
[7:04] not meant for urban areas as it has a
[7:06] shallow root system and clearly causes
[7:08] damage to the surrounding areas.
[7:10] Sidewalk damage has gotten significantly
[7:12] worse over the last two years with the
[7:14] root system causing
[7:17] heaving in different concrete sections.
[7:19] actually move if you step on
[7:21] them. Now, the request is to remove this
[7:24] tree at his cost and replace with a
[7:26] species that is healthy and appropriate
[7:27] for an urban area. He appreciates your
[7:30] time and understanding in this matter.
[7:36] » Is there anyone in the uh
[7:39] public forum that would like to make a
[7:41] comment
[7:44] » before you speak? I have to swear
[7:46] everyone in that. So as the legal
[7:49] representation so if anyone here today
[7:51] wishes to speak um I'm going to ask you
[7:54] to raise your hand your right hand and wave to do once you do to say I do
[7:59] if please raise please raise your right
[8:02] hand do you swear or affirm that the
[8:04] testimony you are about to give before
[8:05] this board is the truth the whole truth
[8:07] and nothing but the truth.
[8:09] >> Yes I do.
[8:11] >> Are you planning to speak as well ma'am
[8:13] on any issue? I hear about the trio.
[8:17] >> This goes to you too. If you are
[8:18] planning to speak, I'm suggesting that
[8:20] you it would go to you as well.
[8:23] >> If you wish to speak today,
[8:25] >> I don't hear real well. So,
[8:26] >> if you're wishing to speak today,
[8:28] >> yeah,
[8:29] >> I need you to raise your right hand and swear your I have to swear you in.
[8:35] >> Do you swear or affirm that the
[8:37] testimony you're about to give before
[8:38] this board is the truth, the whole
[8:40] truth, and nothing but the truth?
[8:44] Thank you.
[8:56] Everything good over there? Okay. Uh
[9:00] ma'am, if you'd like to speak to the
[9:02] tree at 716 Overton, uh for the public
[9:06] record and for anybody that may be
[9:07] watching at home or watching in the
[9:09] future, we would like you to step to the
[9:10] microphone and make your comments.
[9:11] Otherwise, I'll will not make it onto
[9:13] the record.
[9:16] And I will I'm sorry the podium seems to
[9:18] be reversed,
[9:20] but I will
[9:22] turn the microphone on if you'd like to.
[9:28] » You're fine there.
[9:30] >> My name is Charlotte Shrekenhoffer. I
[9:32] live at 714 Overton next to Tom Hugle.
[9:37] what he what you just read that he sent.
[9:40] He actually is in Minnesota right now in
[9:42] business, but anyway, um is the truth.
[9:46] That's exactly what is happening. Uh
[9:49] there's always a mess all over this
[9:51] place. The sidewalk is humped up nearer
[9:54] to his house. So, we have the same
[9:56] problems that he does. So, we're hoping
[9:59] that the tree can get removed and we can
[10:01] get a tree that's more appropriate for
[10:04] the city. Thank you.
[10:12] That appears to be the only comment on
[10:14] this case. Um,
[10:17] any questions, thoughts, or discussion
[10:19] from the board?
[10:20] >> Yes. Do we know Cassandra looked at this
[10:23] trees?
[10:25] >> I believe that she has. Um, she is
[10:28] running late, so we can't get her
[10:30] insight on this particular tree. Um,
[10:32] I'll go back through my email and see.
[10:34] Um, she initially advised the owner to
[10:37] apply for removal
[10:46] photos.
[10:50] » I have a comment. This appears to be a
[10:53] Zelova. It wasn't originally identified
[10:58] in the tree packet that we had, unless I
[11:01] missed it. But Zelcoa is generally
[11:05] exotic but non-invasive.
[11:08] Based on what I know, it looks like it's
[11:10] reached
[11:12] the mature growing
[11:16] um life time
[11:19] and I'm going to vote to have it
[11:22] removed. So,
[11:26] any other
[11:29] thoughts, excuse me, questions, comments
[11:31] from the board?
[11:36] All right. Well, Kevin, if you like to
[11:38] make the motion.
[11:40] >> Motion to approve case number NTB2537,
[11:44] removal of the tree located at 716
[11:46] Overton Street, Newport, Kentucky, based
[11:48] on evidence and testimony presented
[11:51] during this hearing. The board has found
[11:53] that the proposed tree removal is in
[11:55] conformance with the intent of the
[11:58] regulations. Additionally, the removal
[12:00] will not will excuse me. Additionally,
[12:03] the removal will preserve not harm the
[12:05] public safety and welfare, will not
[12:08] injure the essential character of the
[12:09] neighborhood.
[12:12] » And would someone second, please?
[12:15] >> I'll second that motion.
[12:16] >> All right. Uh, let's take the vote then.
[12:18] Jess
[12:19] >> Garrett approve.
[12:23] >> Don,
[12:24] >> yes.
[12:24] >> Neil,
[12:25] >> yes.
[12:25] >> Kevin,
[12:26] >> yes.
[12:27] >> Brandt,
[12:27] >> yes.
[12:31] Okay,
[12:37] moving on to the next case. NTB 2538
[12:42] at 114 West 11th Street. Uh, this was
[12:46] put forward by the city arborist.
[12:50] Uh, arborist to discuss. Um,
[12:55] I'm not sure where she was coming from.
[12:57] I know traffic was a mess on I75 trying
[12:59] to get down here from Westchester
[13:01] myself.
[13:01] >> I believe she had photos on her
[13:04] application that should have been in the
[13:05] pack.
[13:06] >> All right, let me
[13:08] find that one. There we go. 114 West
[13:10] 11th.
[13:12] Uh here we go. It's in the public row.
[13:16] Tree well in front of the property. A
[13:18] calorie pair about 16 inches in
[13:20] diameter. Poor overall structure in
[13:23] invasive species included included bark
[13:26] and co-ominant stems plus previous
[13:29] topping led to recent limb failure
[13:31] likely to recur with remaining branches
[13:34] if left in place. And then you look at
[13:37] the picture that does appear to be a
[13:40] weirdly lopsided tree at this point in
[13:43] time in its life uh with significant
[13:45] trunk damage that I can see even in this
[13:47] black and white photo. Um, so that's the
[13:51] case that we have. Uh, questions or
[13:53] comments from the board.
[14:00] » All right. If there are none, would
[14:02] someone like to give a motion?
[14:06] » I will make a motion to approve
[14:09] uh case NTB 2538
[14:13] uh the removal of a tree at
[14:18] 14 West 11th Street. Uh based on the
[14:22] evidence presented in the report from
[14:24] the uh city arburish, it's indicated to
[14:28] the poor raw structure and invasive
[14:30] species including the bark and
[14:33] co-ominant stem previous toppings led to
[14:36] recent lymph failure likely to reoccur.
[14:39] Um and also that this is u found that
[14:44] the proposed tree removal is in
[14:46] conformance with the intended
[14:47] regulations.
[14:49] Additionally, the removal will preserve
[14:51] not harm the public safety and welfare
[14:53] and will not injure the essential
[14:55] character of the neighborhood.
[14:58] >> Can someone second, please?
[15:01] >> Second.
[15:02] >> All right, let's take a vote, please.
[15:03] Jess
[15:04] >> Garrett,
[15:05] >> yes.
[15:06] >> Don,
[15:06] >> yes.
[15:07] >> Neil,
[15:08] >> yes. Kevin,
[15:09] >> yes.
[15:09] >> Brandt,
[15:10] >> yes.
[15:13] Okay,
[15:15] moving right along to NTB 2539.
[15:20] >> Yes, I have to I have personal conflict
[15:23] with the street, so I will not be
[15:26] taking.
[15:31] » Thank you, Don. Appreciate that. It's
[15:32] 224 Main Street requested by the city
[15:35] arborist in the public row. row right
[15:38] ofway space along Short Street. No
[15:40] sidewalk. A silver maple about 32 in in
[15:43] diameter. Reason for removal tree is
[15:47] slowly failing with the public works
[15:48] team out to prune a broken branch or mow
[15:51] more both the past two years. Can
[15:55] continue to prune, but tree is unlikely
[15:57] to improve, especially based on species
[16:01] and budget question. And then photos at
[16:04] the end. That is a
[16:07] large tree. Looks like it's Yeah. had
[16:10] some significant
[16:18] » he'll finish the overall discussion and
[16:21] then he'll call you up to speak.
[16:27] » Yes. I'll bring you the micro. Give me
[16:28] one minute.
[16:33] » Yeah. Hey, if you want to give her the
[16:34] microphone, we're ready to hear her
[16:35] comments, I believe.
[16:38] >> Hi.
[16:41] » I hate to make, but I don't want to
[16:44] stand up.
[16:45] >> Oh, you're perfectly fine, ma'am.
[16:48] >> Address first.
[16:49] >> Okay. Good afternoon, gentlemen and
[16:52] lady. My name is Roberta May Dietrich.
[16:57] I live at 221 Main Street. I have lived
[17:01] at 221 Main Street for 82 and one half
[17:06] years. That's how old I am.
[17:09] The the three across the street at 224,
[17:13] she's the third owner of that. There was
[17:16] a a couple and then another couple and
[17:19] then Joan Bartlett from somewhere in
[17:21] Cincinnati bought the house.
[17:25] The tree is beautiful.
[17:28] I can sit in my house. I can sit in the
[17:31] yard.
[17:33] It embellishes the skyline into
[17:35] Cincinnati that you would not believe.
[17:38] It makes it look absolutely
[17:42] beautiful. I'm I'm American, but my
[17:45] father's from Austria, my mother's from
[17:47] Wales, and I've been to those countries,
[17:50] and I've seen trees.
[17:54] This tree can outdo those trees, but it
[17:58] is a beautiful tree.
[18:01] And if it sheds leaves, well, it sheds
[18:03] leaves. Now, she parks her car in an al
[18:07] cove next to this tree.
[18:11] I don't know what the complaint is. I
[18:14] happen to keep my car in a garage,
[18:18] but I think to take that tree down
[18:22] is terrible because it embellishes when
[18:25] it the leaves come, it embellishes the
[18:29] whole area and it makes it beautiful to
[18:31] look into Cincinnati
[18:34] and um I just really would not want to
[18:38] see it taken down. Thank you, gentlemen
[18:40] and lady.
[18:42] >> Thank you, ma'am.
[18:51] Cassandra, are you uh settled?
[18:53] >> Yes.
[18:53] >> Uh we're talking about 224 Main Silver
[18:57] Maple. Uh we've heard her comments. Do
[19:01] you have anything to add beyond what's
[19:03] in the application? Um, I don't recall
[19:05] exactly what's in the application, but I
[19:08] do know that I would say this is another
[19:10] one of those very borderline condition
[19:13] uh trees where I'm really glad that you
[19:16] guys are here for. Um, it's a tree that
[19:19] we've had to come back and keep on
[19:21] pruning year after year because it just
[19:24] keeps on seeming like it's dying back a
[19:26] little bit more every year. Uh, so we've
[19:28] been there this year, last year, I know
[19:31] for sure. And it's a silver maple. It's
[19:34] mature, so it's unlikely that it's gonna
[19:37] get better.
[19:39] So, but also it's still sort of in fair
[19:42] condition. And there's only one car
[19:45] that's typically parked right by it. So,
[19:47] there's like not a lot of targets. So,
[19:50] it's kind of in my mind, it's kind of a
[19:52] money issue.
[19:55] >> It doesn't sound like it appears to be
[19:56] in any imminent danger of collapse or or
[19:59] losing no large lands or anything like
[20:01] that. No, it's just one of those trees
[20:03] that we're probably going to be back
[20:05] again next year and probably next year.
[20:08] You know, one of those things.
[20:12] >> Other questions or comments from the
[20:13] board?
[20:19] » Andrew, do you have a a thought on how
[20:21] long it may be before the tree may need
[20:24] to come down?
[20:27] » Rough estimate.
[20:29] I I couldn't I mean
[20:34] I feel like every winter is a new start
[20:38] for every tree and every spring is like
[20:41] okay we're going to start over and see
[20:43] once where this tree is at. Um
[20:46] I mean it could be a year that we hold
[20:48] on to the tree. Could be 10 years that
[20:51] we hold on this tree. I just I really
[20:53] couldn't say
[21:00] » other comments, questions.
[21:07] I have a question
[21:12] again. Gentlemen and ladies,
[21:19] that tree embellishes the skyline
[21:23] beyond the leaf.
[21:25] It's absolutely beautiful. Like I say, I
[21:29] don't know why she wants it down. She's
[21:31] got an al cove where she can park unless
[21:33] a leaf. Apparently, at one time there
[21:35] was a branch on that tree because that
[21:37] looks like that's been taken down.
[21:39] There's like a I don't know something.
[21:43] That city was founded by the Italians
[21:46] when they came from Sicily in 1888.
[21:50] I don't know when the tree was planted
[21:52] because I wasn't living in 1888,
[21:56] but
[21:58] it's a lovely community. The Italians
[22:00] are all gone now from up there. I went
[22:02] to school with oodles of them. We're
[22:04] Catholic. the uh class was twothirds
[22:07] Italian and one-third a mixture of
[22:10] everything.
[22:14] But I think to take that tree down is do
[22:16] an injustice to almighty God
[22:20] and to our community up there. We're
[22:23] still called uh Knob Hill.
[22:27] We have that you some people still call
[22:29] us by the nicknames up there.
[22:32] But I plead that that tree stays. If she
[22:38] doesn't if she doesn't like park on air,
[22:40] let her park on Main Street. My god,
[22:42] everybody else is on Main Street. Uh
[22:47] I just think it would be a shame to take
[22:49] it down. Thank you, gentlemen, ladies.
[22:55] Thank you.
[23:00] I have a question, Cassandra. Are there
[23:04] It looks like it's
[23:07] it had a crotch at one point and one
[23:09] side of it been cut off. Has it
[23:14] has that helped?
[23:19] » I mean, it certainly allowed us to keep
[23:20] the tree in place longer. So the that
[23:23] big crotch that was pruned out was
[23:26] having some significant dieback and so
[23:28] it obviously had to come out before it
[23:30] caused any damage. That would have been
[23:32] last year. So we don't have any real I
[23:36] mean I might have in the inventory but I
[23:39] guess I didn't find it relevant for this
[23:41] in particular. Uh, and then again, the other branch that we pruned out
[23:46] earlier this year is not as big as that
[23:49] one that you see in that crotch there,
[23:51] but it was sort of on the back side. And
[23:53] again, like being able to prune that out
[23:56] obviously makes the tree safe safer
[23:59] again and allows us to hold on to it a
[24:01] little bit longer.
[24:03] >> Did you hear anything from the adjoining
[24:07] neighbors on Short Street concerns or
[24:11] anything? No, none at all. This was just
[24:14] a followup based on
[24:17] uh repeated
[24:19] contacts because of branch dieback.
[24:29] Can I also ask what and maybe this is
[24:35] what is
[24:38] I guess how many times and will you do
[24:42] an annual pruning before you say okay
[24:46] I'm going to recommend it
[24:49] um and did are you officially
[24:51] recommending that this tree be removed
[24:57] » I'm officially
[24:59] asking you guys to consider whether you
[25:01] want us to keep on pruning it annually
[25:04] or whether you think it's a better idea
[25:06] to just remove it and be done with the
[25:08] problem. Again, this is like a
[25:10] borderline issue and so I'm not it's not
[25:13] an issue of like, hey, this has to come
[25:15] down. And so I think to sort of answer
[25:17] the first part of your question is if I
[25:19] ever got there and got to the point
[25:21] where it was like less than 50% alive or
[25:26] just some other like major risk issue
[25:29] associated with it then I would be
[25:31] applying and saying guys we got to do
[25:33] this like this is a risk tree. In this
[25:36] case situation I wouldn't say it's a
[25:38] risk tree. It's just how much do we want
[25:41] to keep on dealing with it?
[25:44] Anyone
[25:48] else?
[25:51] Would someone like to make a motion?
[26:00] Someone's got it.
[26:03] I can make it. Um,
[26:08] I am going to make a motion to deny case
[26:11] number NTB 2539,
[26:14] removal of the tree located at 229 Main
[26:16] Street, Newport, Kentucky, based on
[26:19] evidence and testimony presented during
[26:21] this hearing. The board has found that
[26:23] the proposed tree removal is not in
[26:25] conformance with the intent of the
[26:27] regulations. Additionally, the removal
[26:30] will not preserve but will harm the
[26:32] public safety and welfare and will
[26:34] injure the essential character of the
[26:36] neighborhood.
[26:38] >> I'll second that.
[26:40] >> If we can take a vote, Jess, again, we
[26:43] are voting on the denial of this motion.
[26:46] >> Garrett,
[26:48] >> yes.
[26:49] >> Neil,
[26:49] >> yes.
[26:50] >> Evan,
[26:51] >> yes.
[26:52] >> Brand,
[26:52] >> yes.
[26:55] The tree shall live another day. Thank
[26:58] you, ma'am.
[27:01] Tree is good. The
[27:02] >> tree is good. Stay.
[27:04] We're keeping it.
[27:05] >> Tree. The tree is good.
[27:07] >> We voted to not remove the tree at this
[27:10] time.
[27:11] >> I asked God for prayers that
[27:16] » he sent you, ma'am. And you did a
[27:18] fantastic job. So,
[27:19] >> thank you all.
[27:20] >> Thank you.
[27:26] It really,
[27:28] you know, when I moved there, there were
[27:32] still some Italians. The Catholic school
[27:34] was closed. The Protestant school was
[27:35] closed. But like on both sides of me was
[27:39] a ba and a boumy and the whole kaboodle
[27:43] of them up there.
[27:46] I've often thought nobody ever
[27:48] complained about these trees.
[27:51] They I don't know. been to Italy, but I
[27:53] was there only to see the pope. I wasn't
[27:55] there to look at trees.
[27:58] But I do hope that you all can save that
[28:00] tree. If you have a couple things,
[28:03] that's fine. But it does enhance
[28:07] the beauty of that area up there. And
[28:12] I'm sure if any of they're all gone now,
[28:15] the Italians,
[28:17] they would thank you very much if you
[28:19] could keep it for us. Thank you, Matt.
[28:22] >> Thank you.
[28:23] >> Happy holidays and merry Christmas.
[28:25] >> Thank you.
[28:26] >> And be safe getting out.
[28:28] >> Yes.
[28:32] » All right. Moving on to the next case.
[28:34] NTB2540
[28:38] 401 Riverboat Row.
[28:41] Requested by the city arborist. It is in
[28:43] the public right away. Tree lawn beside
[28:46] the property identified as a Hawthorne.
[28:49] Uh, three trees listed here, five to six
[28:53] inches in diameter.
[28:56] The trees are dead. Photos at the end,
[29:00] and
[29:02] those look like pretty bare and rough
[29:05] trees from the photos. Um, anything
[29:08] additional to add, Cassandra?
[29:12] >> No. No. They're the the bark has been
[29:15] basically rubbed off around all the way
[29:18] around there. So, we know there's no
[29:20] recovery
[29:22] for all three of them.
[29:24] >> Any other questions?
[29:31] » If not, if someone would like to make a
[29:33] motion.
[29:33] >> I'll make a motion to approve case
[29:36] number NTB2540,
[29:39] removal of the tree located at 401
[29:42] Riverboat Road, Newport, Kentucky. Based
[29:44] on evidence and testimony presented
[29:46] during this hearing, the board has found
[29:49] that the proposed tree removal is in in
[29:52] conformance with the intent of the
[29:54] regulations.
[29:56] Additionally,
[29:58] the removal will preserve not harm the
[30:01] public safety and welfare and will not
[30:03] injure the essential character of the
[30:05] neighborhood.
[30:08] » Second.
[30:09] >> All right. Seconded. And let's take a
[30:11] vote.
[30:12] >> Hear it. Yes,
[30:14] >> Don.
[30:14] >> Yes,
[30:15] >> Neil.
[30:15] >> Yes,
[30:16] >> Kevin.
[30:16] >> Yes,
[30:17] >> Brandt.
[30:18] >> Yes.
[30:19] And according to my agenda, that is the
[30:23] >> last item. Any final words or comments
[30:26] from anybody on the board?
[30:29] >> Then if we can get a motion to
[30:31] >> motion to adjurnn.
[30:33] >> That's seconded.
[30:35] >> Garrett,
[30:36] >> yes.
[30:36] >> Don,
[30:37] >> yes.
[30:37] >> Neil,
[30:38] >> yes.
[30:38] >> Kevin,
[30:39] >> yes.
[30:39] >> Grant,
[30:40] >> yes.
[30:41] Thank you everybody.