11-09-10 Street Tree MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD November 9, 2010 --- 4:00 p.m.
Present: Bette Albright, Andrea Davidson, Dawn Tacke, David Jones, Rebecca Bodnar, Mike
Baker, Chad Fincher and Lisa Simmer
Next Meeting Date:
January 11, 2010
Items of Discussion:
• Old Business
2010 Urban Forestry Excellence Project
Miscellaneous Tree Business
Old Business
Trees to Paper to Trees Recycling Drive
Bette presented the group with the Daily Inter Lake paper clipping of the thank you to recycling
drive sponsors.
Lisa presented the group with an updated spreadsheet of recycling drive proceeds as the City did
receive payment from Pacific Recycling.
Dead Maples on South 93/Main
David Jones reported to the group that he and a coworker from DNRC had checked out the dead
maples on 93 in regards to board ft value. He noted that although there are 19 trees,
approximately 2840 board feet with half of that being cull, resulting in approximately 1420
board feet. Recent sales of wood have ran from $200 - $250 per 1000 board feet. David said it
appears that there have been numerous signs posted to the threes over the years and the trees
probably have a lot of nails and staples in the wood, located in what would be the best lengths of
wood. A sale of this wood would not be feasible.
2010 Urban Forestry Excellence Award
The group reviewed the Urban Forestry Excellence Award application as it is necessary for them
to pick a project for their successful $1000 grant nomination. Options discussed included; afield
project allowing for the planting of approximately 3 trees, the upgrade of the TreeWorks tree
inventory software, or education of staff, crew and/or board members.
Lengthy discussion was held regarding their options. Comments regarding each option are as
follows:
Field Project - $1000 dollars would purchase approximately three trees and would not have a
huge impact on any given planting location.
Education - spending might not be necessary, as the future Urban Forest Health Monitoring
Program workshop sponsored by DNRC will provide an educational opportunity for crew, staff,
board members and the public at little or no cost.
TreeWorks - software upgrade would cost $2000. This software would allow the Parks
Department staff in add a work order system specifically designed for tree maintenance. Mike
Baker assured board members that should they chose the software upgrade project he would
work within the current budget and with the finance department to adjust expenditures to
accommodate and allow for a matching $1000 to purchase the software.
David Jones made a motion to utilize the $1000 towards the purchase of the upgraded software
program. Andrea Davidson seconded. The group voted unanimously in favor of submitting the
project application
Lisa Simmer will submit the completed application immediately the following day.
The group discussed the need to present the plaque and program to City Council, when the
application has been approved. Mike informed the group that board members are being asked to
give City Council occasional status updates on what the board is working on, perhaps twice a
year or as special projects happen.
Miscellaneous Tree Business
David Jones briefed the group on the educational program that Mike Garvey of DNRC will be
offering in the upcoming months, regarding Urban Forest Health Monitoring Program. At this
time this has not been scheduled. This program will be free and open to the public in addition to
board members, city staff and crew. David feels he will cover the topics of species selection,
tree care and maintenance and a variety of other topics. Lisa reminded the board that they have
volunteered to help participate in hosting this function.
The group discussed that fact that Kalispell's tree inventory pie chart shows the majority of
boulevard trees to be maples — Norway maples. He feels Mike Garvey will discuss how to shrink
that "slice of pie" of maples, as Kalispell has been lucky so far that nothing detrimental has
happened to that species. David noted that the Emerald Ash Bore is in Iowa at this time and it's
only a matter of time before it is in the west and will eliminate the ash trees. There is also the
Japanese beetle to worry about. David stated that Columbia Falls sent him a tree inventory pie
chart also and it was interesting to note that the majority of their trees are conifers. Mike Baker
noted that conifers do not make a preferable boulevard tree planting due to the fact that they
grow so large and take up such a substantial spacing in a boulevard and have a tendency to
encroach on sidewalks, site triangles, etc. Generous consensus is that Columbia Falls built their
town around the native conifer forest. Chad Fincher noted that the Whitefish Tree Committee is
pushing to plant native trees in the boulevards, through the advice of their landscape architect.
Mike noted that our forefathers in good actions, were more about getting trees into the ground
and planted and their programs didn't necessary include the long term maintenance and care.
He noted that for years when he first came to first for Kalispell, there was still the program of
planting whips, with a poor survival rate. Currently the city recognizes the importance of
planting larger trees of various species with correct spacing.
Lisa Simmer reminded the board that Jennifer Young was going to report back to the board
regarding their inquiry to the BID about a partnership in downtown urban tree watering, however
she was out sick. Lisa told the board that she would include some information of what Jennifer
found out in the email sent out with the minutes. Additionally Jennifer will be invited to the next
meeting.
Lisa informed the group that she is currently working on the Tree City USA recertification,
Growth Award, Arbor Day Grant application and final reporting on the Dutch Elm Disease
project. She asked the group to submit their in -kind volunteer hours for the Dutch Elm Disease
report.
The group lightly discussed other issues related to trees; squirrels, private property diseased
American Elms, etc.
There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.