Trees

I asked to add a topic to the next Pub Works Committe Mtg and Dan told me no. He replied back that the Mayor controls trees via Chapter 97. So I followed up with the following note. I'll bring up verbally at next Council if I don't hear back.

Cortney
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Hi Dan,

Got Joanee's message yesterday re Code of Ordinances spelling out Tree
management as the Mayor's responsibility. This is super news - I'm so glad the
Village thought to put such an emphasis on Trees! Few Villages have this asset,
and I'm glad we're setup to manage them effectively. Further, I know Trees are
important to you so this is doubly good news.

Can you share with me your typical approach? Over email is fine, or I can bring
up officially during next Council. Either's completely fine. For example:
-try to plant X trees during the spring dormant period, Y during fall dormant
period?
-try to plant Z trees throughout the year as we lose them. Maybe 1 in 1 out?
-how do you execute the heritage tree plan of plant 2 for every one lost?
-how do you keep tabs on citizens who remove trees? Public space, private
space?
-how do you factor in budget? Recall we allocated more $$$ for trees this
Spring, above and beyond Ash replacement. How are you thinking about this?
-when do you buy vs harvest from the few in the tree farm? What do you plant
there?
-any consideration to the ratio planted by Nolen? To keep the feel similar?
-Millard gave me a detailed list from 1920 + a redo from the 1950's. Do you use
these blueprints in your decision making?
-how does community tree program fold in? Toby Acheson came to me before he
left and said the program is a good start but only 1/2 complete
-what role does John play in planning? Does his team usually plant all trees?

These are just a few questions I'd like to better understand. I think we need a
regimented, vigorous tree planting schedule, headed up by you. And I would like
to help. As I've stated on lots of previous occasions, we are in a precarious
position, and we don't have enough "bench strength" (few young trees) when our
"veterans" (many many many old trees) disappear.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Attended Health and Rec Committee Mtg 090210

I attended Health and Rec and here's what I heard:

Trash Fee Marketing
We're retooling the documents describing the rules so that they're simple and consistent (web = flyer). We're going to have a class on Composting and Recycling, as well as general rules. Will happen end of Oct/begin Nov. We're going to have the media help spread the word. This feels good to me, where the left hand and right hand of government will hurt and help at the same time....

Exceptions to Trash Fee
We allowed an exception for Jordan Park when the Condos were new. We all agree no exceptions for residential units. All must pay annual fee, stickers are at residents' discretion.

Cortney

8/23-8/24 Roundabout fallout

I got calls from both Dennis and Joe Monday/Tuesday re my handling of the Roundabout during Council. While I'm excited about the maneuver as a way to re-energize stalled/stuck legislation, I should have pre-warned the group as to my plans. I don't want to be perceived as an "end around" guy and this is how it looked. I often rail against the "end around" - I don't want to be that guy! I apologized to Dennis for the "How" and will do again @ next Council.

At the end of the day, I need to be sensitive to the "How" but I believe the "What" has real merit and will absolutely use again. I believe intertia is a bit of a dangerous thing, since time=legitimacy even if not based on rules. The Mayor's assignment to Committee is one of those examples. The maneuver was uncomfortable/painful - it's important restore equilibrium in Mariemont Government. And this can help accomplish that end.

Cortney

Council recap 8/23

I attended the short Council meeting Monday. Here's what I heard:

Homewood speeding. Committee is putting together objective criteria to qualify streets. Should be done in next 60 days. Prob frustrating for homewood but it feels like progress. In the short term stop zigns will help.

Roundabout. I delivered 8 emails of general and specific content to dennis but was told there would be another delay. I expected this so I felt out Kim/Jeff to see if they would consider meeting as a Pub Works committee as Plan B. Meeting will happen in Pub Works, regardless of Comm of Whole progress. This is somewhat controversial, as it tests the role of the Mayor in assigning Committees.

I voted in the affirmative on all votes. All were procedural, none controversial.

Here's the link to the Meeting
http://www.icrctv.com/mariemont


Cortney

many emails re speed humps

I've been corresponding with many citizens on the Homewood Speed Humps issue. I'm supportive of a long term solution like humps, dead end street, alternating-side parking, etc. I believe this is an important test case for the Village, and we ought to do it right, and figure out the criteria.

Cortney

Attended Council 8/9/2010

I attended regular Council on 8/9

Erosion: I don't think we're taking this seriously enough. Cutting fallen trees is a good first step, but we need a specialized engineering eye above and beyond Chris Ertel's solid experience to figure out cause. Further we need to put a plan in place that stabilizes and partially restores the hillside.

Single Sided Council Packets: John S. did a nice thing by printing on both sides, cutting down paper usage by 50%. I'd like to see all Committee heads go to black and white, double sided.

Homewood Speed Humps: I think Stopsigns are a good 1st step but are not sufficient to fix the problem. I reco an objective measurement program to decide who gets speed humps. Factors like these should be considered: amt of traffic, propensity to speed, distance between intersections, through streets, and streets willing to pay a portion of the cost out of pocket (brainstorming here)

Roundabout: Dan and Dennis both committed to Council and Residents to put the Roundabout invitation into Committee of the Whole. However, I was asked to provide prework, which I am happy to do. I am an unwitting champion of this idea - I believe it's a fairness/courtesy issue, and I believe it deserves to be discussed. That said, I don't know enough about this to say I'll support it to the end. From what I know, I think it's a good idea worth exploring further.

Voting: I voted in the affirmative on all except an abstain on Minutes (missed last meeting). Ambulance Vote might be controversial, but I feel better knowing the previous one was 12 years old and a drain on General Fund. I voted to approve the Safety Committee's reco of Stopsigns on Homewood, only when guaranteed more Committee Meetings to further refine and discuss.


Cortney


link to meeting
http://www.icrctv.com/mariemont

Long time away, Council meets again tonight

I have been incommunicado for a number of days. I'm enjoying a few unplanned weeks off, with my trip to New Orleans + Last Meeting canceled. We're back on tonight.

Cortney