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04-05-88 Shade Tree Commission MinutesApril 5, 1988 SHADE TREE COMMISSION 4:00 P.M. •Attendance: Bill Wright, Debra Adair, Betty Albright, Marla Robinson, Mike Baker, Georgia Otten, Keith Engebretson, Mayor Ed Kennedy, and Ian McCowan. The new Shade Tree Commission member, Debra Adair, introduced herself and gave a brief statement of her background. Ian McCowan introduced himself next and stated he is an arborist and had run a tree service in Seattle for the last 10 years. Ed Brannon spoke next, giving a brief history on the Shade Tree Commission, how and when it came about. Marla Robinson was welcomed as the new Council member on the Shade Tree Commission. There was a discussion on when the meetings will be held and the length of the meetings. An agenda for today's meeting was drawn up. Bill Wright reported he has a commitment from Gary Brown, State Forester, to present the Tree City, U. S. A. award. He presented two signs which will be placed at entries to the City and said we need two more as there are four entries to the City. Mike Baker said he would purchase them. A plaque was also presented, which will be hung in City Hall. A Tree City, U. S. A. flag will be hung in front of •City Hall. There was some discussion about setting a time and place for the official presentation. Mike Baker advised that a lady by the name of Mrs. McCubbins had been promised a tree would be replaced on East Montana Street when street reconstruction was done there and it had not been done yet, so he thought this would be a good time to plant a tree there for Arbor Day. He thought we should have a picture taken of his crew putting up one of the Tree City U.S.A. signs at one of the entrances to the City, and have Gary present the plaque and the flag to the Mayor. This will be on Friday, April 29. There was discussion on who should be asked to attend the ceremony; committee members, Council members, etc. Mike Baker will contact the news media for coverage. He will make up an outline of the day's events with times and locations and send it out to participants. The question was raised of when we would have the trees for planting on Third Avenue East. Mike Baker advised we have the trees now, and will probably start planting by the end of the week. Another question came up about street reconstruction on Third Avenue East, if that would be a problem with the planting. The street reconstruction will not be in that area. Ian McCowan then gave a presentation on his tree care experience and background. He volunteered to do a program for Arbor Day, pruning a certain tree in the City, handling out pamphlets on pruning and tree care, giving advice, etc. Depot Park and Conrad Mansion were suggested as locations for this. Depot Park was decided on as the location. Mike Baker will get with Ian to decide on the date. Ed Brannon presented a pamphlet called "Western Wildlands" put out by the University of Montana School of Forestry. It contains articles on tree pruning procedures, the value of trees, and an article by Ed Brannon. Mike Baker was asked to order more copies for all committee members and City Council members. He also presented a newsletter put out by the American Forestry Association on urban forestry. Mike Baker reported on the progress being made after the trees were removed on Third Avenue East. He stated he ordered 48 trees for replacing the trees removed, and what the cost was. He talked about the diversity, of trees he was able to get. Trees for next year will be ordered in about a month's time. There was a discussion regarding planting larger trees as opposed to smaller trees. The possibility of having our own nursery was discussed. Mike Baker reported we have a small nursery at the Treatment Plant, but it was not much of a nursery. Any trees that we have down there now we will use. The statement was made that we should develop a good long-term relationship with a local nursery, to get a good price and quality products. Mike Baker reported on the progress on Third Avenue East. There was some discussion on removing some trees at the same time that the • street is under reconstruction, and notifying residents along there what is going to be happening. Mike presented a layout of the Norwest Bank plan. The question came up if the bank was paying for part of this. Mike said the money for this is coming out of Tax Increment money, but when it is completed the bank will take it over and do all the maintenace on it, except, tree pruning. He stated there will be wrought iron benches and old-fashioned street lights put in, flowering shrubs, trees, fence, etc. Mike Baker was complimented on the amount of work he is getting done and plans to get done. He complimented his crew on their fine work. There was some discussion about removing large trees and transplanting them in a more desirable place. The next meeting was set for May 3 at 4:00 P.M., then the Committee will break until next fall. There was discussion about items for the agenda next year. Meeting adjourned.