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04-10-12 Street Tree MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION MEETING HELD April 10, 2012 Present: Bette Albright, Andrea Davidson, and Lisa Simmer Next Meeting Date: Arbor Day Bag Stuff Party — April 24, 2012 — 4 pm Parks Department Regular Meeting: May 8, 2012 — 4 p.m. Parks Department Items of Discussion: • Meeting protocol • Kalispell Small Town Retreat Review • Recycling Drive — April 14, 2012 • Tree City USA & Arbor Day Proclamation at Council meeting, April 16th, 2012 • Arbor Day — April 27, 2012 • Other Meeting Protocol Members discussed the need for meetings to run more efficiently by practicing the following: • Adhering closer to Robert's Rules • following the agenda items and sticking to the topic • not jumping subjects or skipping around on topics • waiting to introduce new items when finished with the agenda items Street Tree Retreat Small Town Retreat Review As there were very few members able to make the meeting it was decided to table this discussion until the next meeting. Please come prepared to discuss what you feel worked and what didn't work at the retreat. What changes we should make if we host another in the future. Recycling Drive — April le The majority of preparations are in place, with just a few minor items still needed. Water jug, pop purchase, pizza donation, blue tent & crowd tape. These jobs were assigned among the three present. Bette informed the group that the fairgrounds now has a $10 deposit for the keys the bathroom. Bette has taken care of this. Bette stated that she had talked to Dale Augusta regarding the fact that the city did not get a reimbursement check for the last drive in fall 2011. Dale checked his records and verified they had not sent it and will include it with the proceeds from this drive. Lisa presented a request from Matt and Teri of New World Recycling. The have asked to come to the recycling drive with their truck and trailer to accept glass free of charge. Their goal is to promote their business which includes a curbside pickup service and the sale of tumbled recycled glass. The three people present felt that this would need to be discussed at a later meeting when the other members were present and there was a quorum present. Andrea did suggest that perhaps this would fall into the category of promoting one business over another. Lisa mentioned she would hate to see them come to drives and get the public used to the drive accepting glass unless they had a long term commitment. Andrea suggested we get a proposal in writing from New World Recycling to consider at a future meeting. Lisa said she would contact them and explain not enough members at meeting for discussion and quorum and members there suggested they submit a proposal to the board. Lisa suggested that the board members consider taking over the calling for donation of the pizza's. She stated that as a part of public outreach and board members getting to know people, this might be one avenue they could do so. She noted that it might be a nice change to the donators to hear from actual members instead of just another Parks employee calling for a handout. Tree City USA Flag Presentation and Arbor Day Proclamation — April I e Board members will be presenting the Tree City USA flag and reading the Arbor Day proclamation at the city council meeting on April 16th, 2012 at 7 p.m. Andrea will read the proclamation and Bette will read the speech, unless Rebecca can make it and wants to. Arbor Day — April 27�h Bette has contacted and scheduled the Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting at Edgerton school, with two — 3rd grade classrooms. Three trees will be ordered by KPR for the planting and KPR will handle the UDIG and pre -digs. Bette passed out copies of the agenda, which Lisa will scan and send to members and media. Bette will contact Dave about the seedlings he is getting and also about a possible replacement for the Good Stewards of Our Trees talk. Andrea suggested we give students milk jugs labeled with some type of Arbor Day watering message, perhaps dates to check off and give them to interested students to encourage watering. It was discussed that due to having problems with care and watering of trees at the schools during the summer months. The group brainstormed a means to get the administration and maintenance staff more involved with constant care. The group decided to have an Arbor Stuffing bag party on April 24th, 4:00 p.m. at the parks office to stuff the litter bags. Public Outreach Lisa explained the status of the grant project (trees will be soon be planted) and that as a part of this project volunteer board in -kind match will include public outreach to owners of new boulevard trees. This will mean going door to door, introducing themselves as board members and speaking to the importance of trees, watering and utilizing the board and Parks Department should they have questions. This can be done in pairs, with a spouse or however a member would like. There are 27 trees being planted but some residences are getting two trees, so it should not be overwhelming. The list of residences will be split up at the next meeting. Other Business Andrea brought to the attention of the group, damage being done near the high school parking lot to boulevard trees. She noted that even though the group is educating third graders with Arbor Day celebrations, they are reaching approximately 20% of the students. The group would like to explore and brainstorm ways to reach a larger majority of students, including the older ones. Lisa did inform the group they had noticed the damage being done to the trees and had a work order in place to have someone inspect. Andrea suggested she might call the high school resource officer in the meantime. Future possible projects were discussed. Bette said she would like to explore ideas garnered from the retreat regarding recruiting. Lisa mentioned the Street Tree Ordinance really needs to be updated. Lisa noted that a past member, Narda Wilson did a majority of the work needed, the project just needed to be revisited and finished. These items will be on future agendas for discussion. There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 4:37 p.m.