01-10-24 Urban Forestry Committee MinutesKalispell Parks & Recreation
306 1st Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
(406) 758-7718 Fax (406) 758-7719
URBAN FORESTY COMMITTEE
Minutes
Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 4 - 5 p.m.
In attendance: Tree Board Members- Erin Stieber, April Vomfell, Bette Albright, Martin
Rippens, Judy Rosenfeld Cox, Tony Nelson, DNRC Liaison – Emma M, Staff- Fred B,
Colter H, Alison M
Public Comment: No public comment was given.
Approve Minutes:
o April moved for December minutes to be approved, Erin seconded. All approved.
Current Business:
o Contractors
▪ A contactor has completed the removal of 58 dead or dying trees throughout
Kalispell’s boulevards and parks. Stumps will be ground in March. $72,500
total spent on this project.
▪ Tony mentioned how different the area around St Matthews is now with the
trees being removed.
▪ Tony asked if homeowners will be offered a cost share program to replace the
removed trees. Fred stated that the current cost share program is not working
well mostly due to the huge increase in the cost of trees.
▪ A new program is being worked on and there are 60 trees on order that will
be here in the spring. Around 15 people are on a waiting list for trees at this
time.
o Arborist Update – Colter
▪ Winter pruning has started. Pruning has begun in Empire with Northridge
next. Colter stated that they are finding minimal damage due to having a
proactive program.
o Arbor Day
▪ Location- Lawrence Park
▪ Went over what each task is responsible for.
▪ Task
▪ Kids- Erin
▪ Food- Tony
Tony suggested grilling and will be reaching out to a few people to
see if they can grill. Tony is checking pricing on burgers etc.
▪ Booths- April
▪ Sponsors- Judy
▪ Volunteers- Martin
▪ Media- Bette
Bette will reach out to more media than in previous years. Bette asked
about old photos from past Arbor Days.
▪ Outreach- Emma
Will reach out to MSU Extension about attending this year and will
give contact information to April. Alison will get contact information
to Emma for Bias as a possible partner for this year.
▪ Agenda- Fred
No guest speaker has been secured for this year at this time.
Cc: City Clerk