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09-18-19 Urban Forestry Committee MinutesKALISPELL URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD September 18, 2019 Present: Members: Andrea Davidson, Martin Rippens and Judy Rosenfeld - Cox Staff: Fred Bicha, Lisa Simmer & Devin Schmidt Guests: Mary Melster Public Comments Guest Mary Meister commented she was thrilled to learn there is a tree board. Approve Minutes Martin made a motion to approve the August 2019 minutes as written, Judy seconded and all members voted in favor. Current Business Urban Forestry Awards Announcement Fred explained he did not email the nominations out as expected due to only having four, including a new one Chad Fincher submitted. Fred described the four nominations he has starting with the Downtown Business Association for the purchase of 12 trees planted downtown and paying their employee Paul to water the trees once a week. Fred said he put this nomination under the business stewardship category, but moving forward feels like they could be put in the public lands category. Fred said the second nomination is for Vic and Barb Andersen for watering trees in the downtown over the past three years, and feels this fits the resident stewardship. Fred explained Chad nominated the Stillwater Corporation who did the landscaping at the Ford Dealership and surrounding entrances/boulevards on Hwy 93 north. Fred said it's pretty impressive for a developer to recognize the importance of trees on a project, the planting of diverse species, and planting correctly. Fred said the fourth nomination was submitted by Andrea for a residence at 510 3rd Street W where three trees were planted a number of years back and the owners take good care of them. Stillwater/Jeff Claridge business award, Vik and Barb the residential stewardship award and the public lands award to the Downtown Business District, leaving out the 3rd Street West this year and possibly saving it for next year. All members agreed to these choices. Members reviewed calendars and confirmed that October 7, would be a good date for the awards presentation. Fred said he hopes to catch up with Tony to sign the letters going out to award recipients and can present the awards at council. Fred stated he did talk to Richard at GHS woodshop about creating the plaques and Richard had said he'd be more than happy to help out. Fred said he would contact the newspaper and staff would post on Facebook. Boulevard Species List Review Andrea provided a review of the list of large trees she researched from the approved boulevard species list, providing comments and specifics regarding notable things she found. The group discussed trees such as gingkos that everyone agreed they would like to try, however can't locate for purchase. Various large tree species were discussed based on the information provided by Andrea. Fred noted that Kalispell is getting a little high on its Linden tree percentage. The group discussed topics related to trees including; planting sites, planting methods, soil variations, watering, etc. Martin said he has four trees on the medium tree list that could perhaps be eliminated. Parkland Pillar White birch, Goldenrain tree, Katsuratree, Mountain Ash Korean and Ohio Buckeye. Martin said these are the curious ones and he does need to do more research on them. Fred agreed these trees are definitely ones to research further and the list does include more risky trees. Fred said the Ironwood and Hornbeams are actually being tried in Lawrence Park and it will be interesting to see how they do. Fred said if it makes good sense to take off trees, they should do so, however his goal would be to grow the list and not shorten it. Fred acknowledged he did stretch the zone on the medium list because the Arbor Day Foundation does classify our area as a Zone 5A now. The trial chestnuts that have been planted during Arbor Days the last couple of years were discussed. Andrea suggested that the list include photos. Fred replied when asked that the average percentage of a tree species he would like to see is 10%. Fred said they would save the small tree list for when Tony is back and suggested that next year the group take a tour of the trial trees that have been planted to see how they are doing. Senior Notable Tree Tour Guest Mary Meister provided the group with an update of what she had been working on including communications with Eagle Transit who told her that even though they provided the service last year for the tour, they should not have because with their funding they should not provide charter busing, which this event would fall under as it was just for a select few. Mary explained that if Eagle Transit was used this year it would require the running of an advertisement (Flathead Beacon $300) opening up the event to everyone, which she felt takes away from it being a senior outing. Mary further explained Eagle Transit's funding issues, the need to pay overtime to bus drivers, and other issues with using Eagle Transit. Mary said she then contacted the Montana Trolley Company and they have quoted her $350 for two hours, the trolley holds 25 people, and are very receptive and offering it cheaper as it would be a Senior Center event. Martin informed the members that Sykes have offered $175 in support of the event. Fred said Barb and Vic Anderson and Terry Richmond have said they will donate $50 each and that he feels parks &recreation can cover the rest. Lisa said she would seek a donation from Lyndon Steinmetz Design also. Members agreed that they would start and stop the tour at Sykes in support of their donation. Mary said this worked well last year and would work well again. The group confirmed the event is scheduled on October 19, 10am —Noon. Mary said she would facilitate a signup sheet at the Senior Center. Fred suggested committee members and staff travel in cars to allow for 24 seniors and one staff or committee member on the trolley with the PA system. Martin and Judy committed to meeting with Fred separately to assist with the determining the route. Fred suggested making new brochures because the seniors would enjoy them and he hopes to reuse trees they've used before to keep the project easier. Fred said the PA system still needs to be figured out to accommodate both the people who want to stay on the trolley and those that want to get off. Fred said he hopes to talk to Tony about PA systems and work something out. The possibility of using a blue tooth was discussed, however no one in the group is super familiar with them in that type of venue. Fred said the group will divvy up the trees at the next meeting. Arborist Update Devin explained he is seven days into his new job. Devin provided his background experience, explaining he started working with trees early in high school planting with Doepker Landscaping alongside his dad, and worked summers there. Devin said he worked on the UM grounds crew while he studied there, breaking into the aerial climbing and aerial rescue courses. Devin explained he worked on and off at other jobs, however he always gravitated back towards trees and has worked four seasons with Expert Tree Care where he has done all aspects of work; climbing, trimming, working in the bucket, pesticide application and just about everything except planting, which he has prior experience in. Devin said for the last few seasons he has been working with contract with All Seasons Tree Care. MiczrelInn Pn»c Fred told the group that interviews were held last Friday for the second forestry position and background checks are currently underway. Judy asked if there has been any interest from the public in the open committee positions. Lisa said that they had hoped an interested person would be at today's meeting, as the city clerk has suggested that. Andrea announced that she had made the decision to resign after 10 years on the committee and because she is retiring in May and has other things she needs to accomplish. Andrea said this meeting would be her last meeting, however her resignation date is the end of the month. Members thanked Andrea for her many years of volunteer work with the committee. Judy and Martin both said they will not be able to make the November meeting. Per the November 2018 meeting, board members agreed to include this statement in all minutes: "if you have any questions please contact us". The meeting adjourned at 4 : 5 6 pm Approved unanimously at the October 16, 2019 meeting.