LAURIE, Mo. — Should property owners in Laurie be able to plant whatever tree they want, wherever they want to plant it?
The Laurie Board of Aldermen tabled a decision on the adoption of a city tree ordinance and a city tree board at their Tuesday, May 10 meeting, due to a section of the ordinance regulating where and how citizens can plant trees, as well as what type of trees they can plant, on their own private property.
The ordinance is necessary for the city to be able to receive trim grant funding. To receive the funding the city also has to agree to hold an Arbor Day celebration and allocate $2 per capita towards city tree care, which amounts to approximately $2,000 annually.
City Attorney Steve Grantham suggested holding a public hearing to gauge public support of the tree ordinance before proceeding.
“We would be taking away from a private citizen’s right to plant a tree where they want to plant a tree,” Alderman Jeff Chorpening said.
The proposed tree ordinance states that no tree shall be planted closer than 35 ft. from any street corner. Alderman Alan Kimberling commented that would be difficult in his own yard, because 35 ft. would put the tree inside his living room.
The reason to seek the funding and approve the ordinance, according to Laurie Alderwoman Karen Dobbins, is for city beautification. Dobbins also pointed to the improvement in safety the ordinance would bring. A tree next to a city street could grow too large and block street lights, hinder traffic and endanger citizens, she said.
The grant is administered through the Arbor Day Foundation with the Missouri Department of Conservation as the local authority.
“Citizens of Laurie should have the right to put the kind of tree they want in their yard,” Chorpening said. MDC Forester Paul Johnson explained the reason for regulating the type of trees to be planted next to city roads was because if appropriate trees were planted, there would be less cost because they would not have to be cut back as often. Johnson also said that the city of Osage Beach is considering the same ordinance. The sample ordinance was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and is meant to fit cities throughout entire United States. “There is room for adjustment,” Johnson said.
Besides regulating the types and spacing of trees, the proposed ordinance provides definitions for “park trees,” “street trees,” “public community forest” and “private community forest.” It also has a section covering tree topping and pruning, creating the tree board, penalizing unlawfully interfering with the tree board, and specifying a fine up to $100 for violating any provision of the ordinance.
Laurie Hillbilly fair
In other city business, Laurie Hillbilly fair committee members Vicky Gustafson and Kim Smith attended the meeting to report on additions to this year’s fair. “Fair attendance has been struggling the last few years,” Gustafson said. The committee has contracted a circus (with no animals) and a carnival for the 2016 fair. Additional games, a golf tournament, new bands, and more vendors are also among the improvements.
Also, a car show is planned in the area near the Little Beer Garden. Gustafson also reported bright orange vertical banners have been donated to use as additional signage along Highway 5 to advertise the fair. The committee is seeking businesses willing to place the banners on their property.
Other events at the fair that the committee is working on include: fire department contests, a tug of war, a back seat driver contest, a tough man contest, and parade improvements. Gustafson reported the Missouri State Highway Patrol has imposed a limit of 50 parade entries and has prohibited walkers in the parade, for the purpose of limiting traffic back-up on Highway 5.
Relay for Life 2016
The board approved the Morgan County Relay for Life to use the Laurie Park from 4 p.m. to midnight on June 18 for their annual relay, at no cost. The relay is seeking teams to obtain sponsors and walk in the relay to help cancer victims in Morgan County.
Empty Businesses
In other business, Alderman Chorpening suggested doing something about an old car wash in the city that has been allowed to become run down. A draft nuisance ordinance with teeth was suggested.
Chorpening also commented that there were 12 empty businesses on Highway 5 and he asked the board to brainstorm to find a way to attract businesses to Laurie.
