03-12-13 Street Tree MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD March 12, 2013
Present: Bette Albright, Andrea Davidson, Rebecca Bodnar, David Jones and Lisa Simmer
Excused: Marshall Dressel & Sean Conrad
Next Meeting Date:
Regular Meeting: April 9, 2013 — 4 p.m. Parks Department
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by Bette Albright.
Agenda Topics:
• Old Business
Approval of January minutes
• Current Business
Spring Recycling Drive: April 13, 2013
Council Presentation — April 22, 2013
Arbor Day 2013 — April 26, 2013
Ordinance Update
601 1st Ave East
Old Business
The group reviewed and unanimously approved the February minutes.
Brief discussion was held regarding the small confusion of whether all proceeds from the
September recycling drive were received from Pacific Recycling. It was noted that park crews
deliver the aluminum and receive money for that and Pacific sends a check for the other
recycling proceeds. Bette had made a nice phone call to Pacific and Dale Augusta is going to
double check and Lisa will double check on her end to see if it was deposited. The group agreed
that Pacific Recycling is an important partnership and provides a valuable service. Lisa and/or
Bette will let the group know what is found out.
Current Business
Spring Trees to Paper To Trees Recycling Drive
Bette stated the recycling drive is scheduled for April 13, 2013, 9 am north end of the
fairgrounds. Bette reminded everyone to dress for the weather, bring lawn chairs and gloves.
Lisa noted she has sent flyers via email to all city employees, Street Tree Members is networking
it and as an example she had sent it to individuals such as Melanie at Centurylink, who in turn
sent it to all Centurylink employees. Lisa encouraged members to email their flyer on to others.
Lisa noted the flyer is on the website and she will be sending it out to the KPR customer email
list and the media a bit closer to the date, as staff feels that notices sent to early sometimes get
lost or forgotten. Bette said she has contacted the Anchor Club and students at the JR High who
have assured her they will be volunteering their time. Bette asked if Chad Fincher has Boy
Scouts coming, to which Lisa replied Chad has not said anything about the Boy Scouts working,
however Erica Wirtala has put it on the Girl Scouts calendar and may be there with volunteers.
Lisa said she has also sent the flyer to Clifford Kip at Montana Conservation Corp and invited
any MCC members needing community service the opportunity to work.
Plastics' recycling was discussed and the group decided to continue taking plastics but not
advertising it, due to lack of knowledge by both the public and members, regarding specifics of
what can be recycled.
Bette has been in contact with Tom Lotshaw, reporter with Daily Interlake to let him know about
the event.
Duties completed and yet to be completed were discussed and assigned as necessary.
Arbor Day — April 26, 2013:
Bette briefed the group on Arbor Day at Elrod School. Supplies for litter bags were reviewed.
Lisa reviewed with the group supplies she has ordered. David Jones will round up any litter bag
supplies DNRC has for litter bags. David Jones stated he will not be able to attend Arbor Day as
he will be in Thompson Falls. The group agreed, litter bags will be stuffed at the April 9th
meeting.
Bette explained that the principal does not want to get the whole student body involved in the
tree forming/boom truck photo, however thinks this would be good for the 3rd graders. The
principal feels that it would be too difficult to get the whole student body involved. The group
agreed that 60 3rd graders should be adequate to form the tree. Lisa stated that crew members
will spray paint the tree outline on the ground before the event.
The secondary Arbor Day project of planting three trees at the KYAC was noted. Staff will
attempt to get MCC and Glacier High School volunteers to plant those trees.
Arbor Day Proclamation & Tree City USA Council Presentation — April 22, 2013 (actually this
date was noted in error and the meeting date is April 15th, 2013)
Andrea and Bette confirmed they will be there and can both speak on behalf of the committee.
Bette has the speech and David will check on new flag and portal signs. Andrea said she is
willing to do the speech again if necessary, however noted she did do it last year.
Tree Ordinance Update
Andrea noted a typo in 6.04, which will be changed. Rebecca asked to review some proposed
changes made in her absence and to address under 5.07 Appeals. Discussion was held regarding
appeals. As Rebecca felt this language is still a bit confusing she offered to rework it and
submit new language for the group to review at the next meeting.
Rebecca said she felt that under section 5.05 major pruning should be defined. However after
discussion the group decided to remove the word major as this would alleviate the need to define
it and realistically all pruning should be authorized.
The group discussed section 6.01 Care of Trees and made small changes. It was agreed that due
to time the group the group will continue with the ordinance update at the next meeting.
Miscellaneous Business
Lisa read an information email to the group from Chad Fincher. It provided information on the
status of DED removals and the KPR crew's urban forestry maintenance season.
Lisa passed around pictures of the Flathead Electric pruning on a mature boulevard maple tree at
601 lst Ave East. Lisa informed the group that the homeowner has asked for removal of the tree.
Lisa explained that Chad would like the recommendation of the Street Tree Committee regarding
this request. The group thoroughly discussed the tree, noting that the prune is indeed harsh and
unsightly looking. They further commented that most trees look at their worse in summer and
acknowledged removal of viable trees that are not a hazard, is not priority over removal of dead
(especially diseased American Elms) trees. The group decided they would like the opportunity
to see the tree leafed out in late summer, before recommending staff give permission to remove a
viable tree. Lisa stated she would put a reminder on the Treeworks computer calendar and relay
this information to Chad Fincher.
There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 5:05
Approved by the Street Tree Committee, April 9th, 2013