04-10-19 Street Tree Commission MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD April 10, 2019, 2019
Present: Members: Judy Rosenfeld -Cox, Terry Richmond, Tony Nelson
and Martin Rippens
Staff: Fred Bicha, Josh Keene and Lisa Simmer
Guest: Ali Ulwelling & Dave Jones
There was no public comment.
Public Comments
Approve Minutes
Approval of the March minutes was tabled until the May meeting.
Current Business
Arbor Day 2019 Planning
Members reviewed the Arbor Day 2019 celebration task list and provided progress and updated
information to each task.
• Kids — Fred reported there are 15 classes, which is higher than last year, however similar
to past years. Fred said tomorrow he is going to send the finalized information to the
teachers. Fred said he feels through communications, the school district is paying for
buses, however is not positive. Fred is lining up the AB students to assist teachers and
classrooms. Fred said there is a class who is doing a poem at the formal ceremony. Fred
has requested that the logo designer attend so the group can formally recognize her work.
• Agenda — Fred said he will email out the agenda. Fred reminded members the agenda has
been changed with the formal ceremony being at the beginning of the day. Members
discussed other particulars to the event, set up and preparations.
• Environmental stations — Tony informed the group that 17 firmed up with a commitment
from Dave Jones for the 181h if it's needed for the rotation. Dave's booth would consist of
tree seedling planting on the hillside. Tony said Montana Wild Wings do have concerns
for the birds and timing and Tony will follow up with them. Tony is also tracking shirt
sizes and RSVP's for lunch.
• Sponsors — Terry reported the current balance of $4200 which should be adequate to
cover all expenses. Terry suggested that next year the $200 sponsor be removed as no
one believes there has never been one and that the $100 sponsor be put to $150.00.
• Media — Ali told members she has a press release draft she will share by the end of the
week. Ali complimented Josh on his article in the Flathead Beacon even though it did
not end up in the section everyone anticipated. Ali stated that the Flathead Beacon
anticipates attending the Arbor Day event and doing a story that day. Ali mentioned she
has scheduled to do a radio interview the morning of Arbor Day for the forestry expo
however will also plug Arbor Day. The group discussed additional media articles for the
future.
• Community Outreach — Judy reported that she has talked to both the Kalispell Brewery
and REI and will email them and confirm they are lined up. Members discussed the
number of volunteers and determined that REI should plan for 120 volunteers for coffee.
Fred offered to pick up beer tokens from KBC. Lisa and Fred will provide coloring
sheets and crayons for kids at KBC.
• Volunteers — Martin stated he feels the volunteers are lined up and it's looking good.
Martin told Ali that Rick Moore felt that 8 from DNRC could attend. Fred reminded
Martin and Ali to get him t-shirt sizes for the volunteers. Fred said members should
arrive at 10 am and should be done by 2 pm.
• Food — Fred reviewed emails from Andrea regarding the food and prices she checked
into. After discussion of the options, costs and logistics, the group decided to order
pizzas from Costco due to it being the simplest.
• T-shirts — Fred said the shirts will be light blue and short sleeved this year and he needs
to order in the next day or two so people need to get the sizes to him as quickly as
possible.
• Ceremony — Members discussed possible speakers for the ceremony.
• Logistics — Josh reminded members to let him know if there's anything missing from the
list he has provided.
Young Tree Pruning Workshop
Josh provided an overview of the plans for the young pruning workshop. Josh noted the city has
advertised it numerous places, community calendars, KPR FaceBook, etc.. Ali offered to send
out a PSA on the event.
Tree City USA Presentation to Council
Members were reminded that the presentation to council is scheduled for April 15, 2019, 7 pm to
city council. Tony offered to read the presentation speech, which Fred will email to him.
Promote Trees at FVCC
Judy reported that to date nothing has happened with this. Fred mentioned there is a contractor
in town who teaches some tree classes and Fred had mentioned it to him and he will start
plugging it from his end to try and spur interest in Tree Campus USA.
Promote 5 015 0 Pro gram
Fred reminded members that the 2019 work plan includes promoting the 50150 program.
Members discussed their April schedules and the thought process of waiting until May to knock
on doors and hand out brochures. Suggestions were made to take 50150 brochures to the young
tree pruning event and the Arbor Day after hours party at the KBC. Josh told everyone that
every person who has had a hazard tree removed has received a 50150 cost share brochure. Josh
also said that he can provide the board with areas that they can canvas. This project was tabled
until next month.
Expirin Terms
Judy commented she signed up again and Terry said he will not be reapplying. Everyone
thanked Terry for all the dedicated hard work he has put in.
Ordinance Workshop
Lisa informed board members that the tree ordinance work session is scheduled for April 22 at 7
pm if members want to attend.
Arborist Update
Josh reported that 2nd Ave W east to north is completed and the crew has moved back down to
the Stratford Village area. Josh explained that they had completed the majority of the Stratford
Village subdivision with the exception of semi mature autumn blaze maples that couldn't be
done with the rental lift so they are back down there utilizing the boom truck. Josh also noted
the forestry crew is working 4 — ten's now and brought their first forestry seasonal staff member
as parks crew personnel have moved back into the parks work. Josh said they are getting an
unbelievable amount of work done and it is going great. Josh said after Stratford Village they
will move back to the west side of town, based on requests from citizens.
Tony and other members of the board complimented Josh and crew on the work they have been
doing.
There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 5:04 pm.
Per the November 2018 meeting, board members agreed to include this statement in all minutes:
"if you have any questions please contact us".
Approved unanimously at the May 8, 2019 meeting.