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05-01-12 Street Tree MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION MEETING HELD May 1, 2012 Present: Bette Albright, Andrea Davidson, David Jones, Rebecca Bodnar, Mike Baker, Chad Fincher and Lisa Simmer Next Meeting Date: Regular Meeting: September 11, 2012 — 4 p.m. Parks Department The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Bette Albright. Items of Discussion: • Old Business • Public Outreach • Urban Forestry Budget Review • Board Structure • Ordinance Update • New & Miscellaneous Business Old Business Minutes of the May meeting were approved by all members present. Mike informed the group that he talked to the husband of the new principal at Edgerton, (who is a friend of his) and mentioned the displeasure members had with the Arbor Day celebration. Mike explained the importance of the Arbor Day celebration and the maintenance and care provided to the newly planted trees by the school district, so that Arbor Day events can continue at Edgerton in the future. It was noted that Bette needs to check on retrieval of the leaf fan study guides as those were not picked up with loaner books. Public Outreach Members discussed their experiences on the door to door public outreach/meet and greet with citizens who received a newly planted boulevard tree. Members had an enjoyable time and felt that the citizens were very responsive and welcoming. Members hung door hangars on residences where no one was home. Andrea said she would like to continue monitoring the trees on her portion of the list and would keep track of her hours. Lisa noted that these volunteer hours were used as "in -kind" on the DNRC grant which assisted with funding for planting of these trees and watering gator purchases. Lisa informed the group she added 15 minutes to the volunteer time they submitted to cover the meeting where the group discussed the project and split up the property address list. Chad informed the group that we are experiencing some problems with the chokecherries that were planted through this program. They appear to have "shothole disease" and staff is monitoring them. Urban Forestry Budget Review Lisa passed out copies of the preliminary urban forestry budget for review and familiarization by the group. Mike gave a brief overview of the budget, noting that it had not gone before council yet, however would do so June 18th during a workshop prior to the regular council meeting. Mike noted the highpoints of the budget being a proposed full time FTE, a small increase in dues and training and the purchase of a much needed stumper. Mike explained that the proposed full time hire would be the start to having an employee dedicated to working in the urban forestry year round versus seasonably. Additionally, he stated the increase in dues and training is to start the training process for a certified arborist on staff and to meet the request of the Kalispell Street Tree commission members who asked that funding be directed towards the goal of having a KPR employee become certified. The stumper purchase request was briefly discussed with all parties being aware of the age and nonworking condition of the existing stumper. Mike stated that it is his hope that within two budget years, there will be two full F.T.E., in the urban forestry budget, working urban forestry year round. Mike asked members to speak in favor of the budget at the public hearing portion of the council budget meeting. Mike will notify the group of the date of the budget public hearing. Board Structure The group held discussion on future board structure and lead people for projects. It was noted that Bette has been the chairperson and lead person on recycling drives and Arbor Day celebrations of the board for 20+ years and possibly she would like to hand off the torch to others. Duties, tasks and projects that need to be covered and possibly have a lead person were considered; secretary/minutes, media notifications and contacts, recycling drives, Arbor Day celebrations, ordinance update and special projects/events. It was determined that Lisa will continue to complete meeting agendas and minutes. The group decided their calendar year will follow the city for the purposes of chairperson terms. A term will be July 1st through June 30th and voted on annually. Bette agreed to maintain the chairperson position until June 30th, 2013. The group voted unanimously on both of these items. The group agreed to bring the topic of lead people for specific projects to a future meeting(s) to determine who might have interest in or be best on specific projects or duties. It was remarked that members (both existing and new) might have ideas for new projects they would like the group to pursue. It the meantime, Bette will write down specific instructions of the tasks she completes for recycling drives and Arbor Day celebrations. Additionally, Bette would like to have a member shadow her and train in the preparations for the spring recycling drive and Arbor Day celebration 2013 at the elementary school. Lisa will gather information on the media contacts she sends PSA's to and other members will gather contacts they think should be contacted. This information will be used to determine who the group wants to target for publicity and who will handle that task. Ordinance Update Group discussion and input from parks staff acknowledged that the ordinance update will be a time consuming task that could take time at a number of meetings. Due to this, it was agreed upon that this project would start in the fall after the recycling drive is over. It was noted that new member(s) will be on board and it might be a good time to review the existing document as a group and determine the best course of action for moving forward with revisions. Lisa will have paper copies of both the existing ordinance and a start on revisions made by a prior board member. New and Miscellaneous Business The group agreed that it was very exciting that Kalispell Middle School won the online Dryers Fruit Bars orchard contest. The next meeting was scheduled for September 11, 2012. There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.