04-11-18 Street Tree Committee MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD April 11, 2018
Present: Members: Terry Richmond, Judy Rosefeld Cox, Andrea
Davidson, Tony Nelson, Rick Moore and Barb Anderson
Guest: Bette Albright
Staff: Fred Bicha, and Lisa Simmer
The meeting was officially called to order at 4:04 pm by Terry Richmond.
Public Comment
Bette said she was glad to be back for the meeting and looking forward to Arbor Day.
Approve Minutes
Members unanimously approved the March 2018 minutes.
Current Business
Arbor Day - review of tasks and planning
• School Curriculum & Students and School District 45 communications — Bette & Barb
Barb reviewed the tasks she has completed, including the fact that she has not gotten any
teacher/classroom volunteers for the poem performance. After discussion of this topic the board
decided to forego the poem this year. Bette provided an update on her communications with the
school district transportation office. Bette confirmed there are 25 high school students attending
to assist teachers. Bette noted that the Arbor Day budget would need to pay for the busing of
students this year and the cost is $537.50. Bette confirmed she had talked to Mark Flateau and
he will be attending. Members agreed that recognizing the high school student who designed the
logo is an important part of the formal ceremony.
• Environmental Stations - Tony
Tony briefed the group on the environmental stations, noting there are 17 confirmed. Tony read
off the list of environmental stations confirmed.
• Volunteers — Rick
Rick reported that he has 8 volunteers lined up and will contact Parkside. Barb confirmed that
Vic will help with the tree planting. Rick said by the time the day arrives, there should be more
than enough people to assist. Judy answered no when asked if the garden club would be
volunteering.
Sponsorships — Terry
Terry provided a rundown of the sponsorships and estimated collection of $4500. Fred
confirmed that there is money in the budget to pay for the school district busing.
• Logistics — Rick
Rick and Fred discussed the tools needed and coordinating parks supplies with DRNC supplies.
Members discussed other tools, tarps and supplies, and noting members should bring small
things such as staple guns, tape, etc.
• Lunch — Andrea
Andrea asked for the number of volunteers she should order pizza for. After discussion it was
determined that the group should plan to feed 120 volunteers including staff and board members.
Lisa told members that she would take care of getting the city Costco card and visa to take care
of the charges above and beyond the $50 Costco gift card that Terry got donated. Lisa said that
she would inventory the existing supplies to determine if plates, napkins, cups, etc., need to be
purchased. Members decided not to bottled water and to use the water jugs instead, to avoid the
plastic water bottles. Bette offered to handle the coffee.
• T-shirts — Fred
Fred said he's working on the t-shirt order and will be ordering it before the end of the day.
Rick provided the sizes he needs for volunteers. Fred said he will order sizes for the
environmental booths based on last year's order, however would like members to get sizes for
volunteers if possible so he can organized the shirts and have bundles labeled and ready to be
handed out.
• Media — Barb
Lisa told the group that all sponsors have been scheduled for a KPR FaceBook post and that if
the sponsor has their own FaceBook page they have been tagged. Lisa noted that the new logo
is the KPR FaceBook page profile picture and also has been put on the new website and that
Arbor Day has been added as an event on the city website calendars. Lisa said she believes that
Keli has put this on community calendars and that a MailChimp is scheduled to go out on the
Monday prior to Arbor Day. Lisa said that media is included in the MailChimp email that is
going out. Barb said she would send Brenda Avery an email inviting her to the event. Fred said
he will also be sending out a press release.
• Community Outreach - Judy
Fred reported that he had met with Maggie of the Kalispell Brewing Company. Fred said they
are going to throw a highly advertised Arbor Day afterhours party at the brewing company, with
the first 50 people receiving seedings. Fred said that the KBC would like the board to have a
table for display of forestry information and kid's games and activities. Barb volunteered to
gather some kid's stuffs. Fred announced the best part is KBC is going to give all the volunteers
a token for a free brew. Fred asked Judy to assist with setting up a booth at the brewery.
Fred told members Rick acquired the seedlings for students. Fred said he is in the process of
getting the necessary permit to close the park, which will result in the need to have people man
the gates to allow participants in. Barb and Andrea volunteered to assist with this. Fred asked
Tony to send booth volunteers a mass email reminding them to bring pop up canopies, tarps for
kids to sit on and any other additional supplies should the weather require it. Other preparation
plans, needs, suggestions, and reminders were discussed and noted.
Tree City USA and Arbor Day Proclamation
Fred explained to the board that this year instead of presenting the flag, portal signs, etc., at
council meeting he would rather hand these items out at the Arbor Day presentation. Tony
volunteered to read the speech, which Fred will update and get to him.
Program Development Grant.
Fred reminded members they have a neighborhood flyer canvas and meet and greet 50150 cost
share promotion scheduled for the night of April 19, at 6 pm. Fred said the plan is to meet at the
office and he would give each member a map of the area they are assigned. Fred said it would
be up to members if they want to do it as individuals or work as teams. Fred told members that
staff has already mailed the 50150 cost share brochures to every person who has had a city tree
removed and he has already had decent response and interest, largely due to the grant price of
$75. Fred said he thinks the flyer distribution will break down to approximately 20 a piece for
members and should take less than an hour, unless residents initiate discussions.
Farmer's Market Booth
Fred informed members that Farmer's Market may not want an informational booth that is not
selling anything. Fred said he was told that our request will be reviewed by the Farmer's Market
board and he would be called back with the determination. Fred said he will let the board know
what the final determination is.
Miscellaneous Business
Miscellaneous
Arborist Position — Fred informed members at this time the position is being advertised for
another couple of weeks.
Tree Removal Contract — Fred provided a briefing of the current removal contract, noting that
the contract calls for the removal of 88 trees, which is almost completed. Fred told members the
contract includes the grinding of the stumps which is what the contractor is currently working on.
Tree Pruning Contract — Fred explained that there were two pruning contracts bid, both of which
were won by Trees For Life and the second contract just started which consists of 500 trees.
Stumping Contract — Fred said the stumping contract is for 124 stumps and should start shortly
and should only take a couple of weeks to complete.
Fred said all contracts should be completed in the next couple of months. Terry asked what these
contracts equate to in dollars. Fred said he didn't have the exact figures in front of him but
approximates are; removals $70,000, each pruning an average of $65,000 and stumping $20,000.
Fred said that the bulk bidding has resulted in lower contracts than originally estimated.
Members suggested including these numbers in the council presentation.
Lisa mentioned the "Pick Your Park" community clean up notice she had sent out to members,
noting that she wanted members to know it was planned and saying she hopes it results in a
cleaner park for Arbor Day.
There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Approved unanimously at the June 13, 2018 meeting.