Loading...
09-11-12 Street Tree MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION MEETING HELD September 11, 2012 Present: Bette Albright, Andrea Davidson, Sean Conrad, Chad Fincher and Lisa Simmer David Jones and Marshall Dressel had notified KPR they would be absent. Next Meeting Date: Regular Meeting: October 9, 2012 — 4 p.m. Parks Department The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Bette Albright. Agenda Topics: • Old Business • New Business • Recycling Drive • Jamie Kirby - DNRC • Future Meeting Topics Old Business Lisa distributed the KPR email media contacts list, as in the past members had inquired who all is contacted. Members were asked to review the list, in case there are other organizations they would like added. It was noted that the upcoming recycling drive PSA had went out to this list and that was the reason KAJ-TV offered an interview spot, which Rebecca was handling the next day. New Business New board member Sean Conrad was introduced and welcomed. Recycling Drive The next meeting was scheduled for September 11, 2012. Preparations for the drive were thoroughly discussed; including both completed tasks and yet to be completed. The group discussed whether or not the breakfast foods were needed and it was determined that the breakfast foods would be cut. It was noted that generally there is an excess of food, people would have generally eaten breakfast before arriving and expenses related to the drive are increasing. Additionally, providing hot chocolate will be weather dependent, and provided when the weather is cold. Sean offered to seek pop donations to further help save money. Bette spoke with Beth Shule of Kalispell Middle School who has 17 young people needing community service hours and it is anticipated they will be working in shifts at the drive. Chad Fincher has lined up the Boy Scouts who will be working in shifts with their den leaders and parents. Other tasks were noted and/or assigned as necessary. It was noted that KPR staff will not be in attendance for the drive, with the exception of Lisa who is only able to work half a day. Jamie Kirby - DNRC Lisa showed the group a box of brochures and miscellaneous items that Jamie Kirby of DNRC purchased with the remaining ARRA grant funds and gifted to Kalispell. It was noted that these supplies could be utilized for the Arbor Day celebrations. The group wrote a thank you card to Jamie which Lisa will mail. Future Meeting Topics Future meeting topics listed on the agenda were noted and briefly discussed. The group anticipates the ordinance update will need to be addressed at several upcoming meetings and will be a lengthy project. Bette distributed copies of the instructions she has been working on which outline the tasks she undertakes for the paper drive. She explained this is a "work in progress" and other members should feel free to review and proof these instructions and get back to her with comments at the next meeting. She reiterated that she is looking for a board member to shadow and train with her on both the spring paper drive and Arbor Day celebration. Miscellaneous Business Andrea asked for clarification regarding Flathead Electric method of pruning Additionally, Andrea noted that Town Pump on Idaho has several dead trees and wondered what the board could do about. Chad responded to Andrea, with an explanation that Flathead Electric prunes trees according to the required specifications of a 15' radius around power lines and it oftentimes ends up with a very ugly prune job and compromising the tree. He further explained that Flathead Electric and KPR have a good working relationship and frequently work together to remove and replace trees, when it is deemed more appropriate due to the location, existing tree conditions, etc. Chad stated there are times with the adjoining property owner will not allow for the tree to be removed and replaced and is therefore pruned. Examples of this can be found on North Main. Chad explained that his is aware that the trees at Town Pump are dead and unsightly; however pressing the issue of replacement could possibly further burden the city. Replacement of these trees would in all likelihood need to come from the Urban Forestry budget, as Town Pump is not responsible for replacing trees. It was explained by both Chad and Sean that without ordinances in place with specific language addressing these types of issues, the city has no authority to request or enforce replacement or care of boulevard trees. It was suggested that both residential and commercial property tree replacements and care be indentified in the ordinance update. Chad suggested his crews could pull the trees for aesthetic purposes. There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.