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01-13-15 Street Tree Committee MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMNHSSION MEETING HELD January 13, 2015 Present: Members: Andrea Davidson, Lance Isaak, Bette Albright, Brock Anderson and Larry Roberts Staff. Chad Fincher, Fred Bicha and Lisa Simmer The meeting was officially called to order at 4:00 by Andrea Davidson. Agenda Topics: Public Comment Approval — December minutes Tree Board Strategic Plan 2015 Arbor Day 2015 Management Plan Group Input Public Comment There was no one present or correspondence from the public. Approve Minutes There was a quorum. Members approved the December 2014 minutes unanimously. Old Business Tree Board Strategic Plan 2015: Fred asked the group if they had a chance to review the strategic plan, if there were any questions, concerns or changes. As Andrea was absent at the last meeting, Fred noted that there is the listed goal of continuing the news articles, with Andrea being the writer. Andrea was agreeable to continue with the articles, if the group could help provide the topics. Fred noted the plan is very ambitious and it is not expected the group will accomplish all the stated goals, however the plan would be used as a guide for the board. The group had no comments or changes and approved the 2015 strategic plan unanimously. Arbor Da,. 2 Bette explained that the Arbor Day subcommittee (Bette, Lance, Brock and Fred) had previously met to begin planning the expanded Arbor Day April 24, 2015 celebration. Bette distributed copies of a letter she has drafted that will go to the principals of the School Dist. 95 elementary schools, explaining the plan for the Arbor Day Celebration. Bette noted that Lawrence Park was chosen as the location, due to the parks many amenities including the pavilion for shelter, bathrooms and playgrounds. Bette noted there are five elementary schools and all third grade classes will be invited, which is approximately 330 students. The plans include students being bused to the park and bringing their lunches. Fred noted that via email the theme "Grow Up With Trees" was voted in as the theme of the event. Green industry businesses and organizations will be invited to set up booths and provide presentations to the students and each group of students will rotate to the stations spending approximately 20 minutes at each. Bette stated she has already contacted the superintendent of schools, who is very supportive of this event. The superintendent suggested that IB students who need community service hours, be recruited to guide and lead the groups of students. Bette will move forward with contacting the principals. Brock stated he had talked to the IB teacher's and they are willing to assist. Brock also said his wood shops students are willing to stuff the litter bags with the saplings and other items. It was noted by members that 330 saplings is a large number and they will need Dave Jones to check and see if it's possible to get that many. It was questioned whether the board wants to provide the litter bags for that many students. Lisa provided an inventory of supplies for the group, noting that at this time the only item there is enough of is the bags. Fred stated that even if the group only gave out the bags, it would be helpful to the students as they will most likely be getting information and items from the green industry booths. Fred verified that there will be tree plantings as a part of this celebration. Tentative plans include a formal tree planting ceremony with the mayor and students and after each classroom planting a tree of their own for a total of six trees. It was noted that the Arbor Day grant is $750 to cover the cost of the trees however funding should be adequate to cover. Bette said the subcommittee feels it would be nice to have one of the third grade teachers be on the committee to provide input. Lisa said she would check for a possible sponsor for t-shirts for the volunteers. Members noted the importance of all activities and students staying within the area to the west of the road and no one going near the river. It was suggested that an email with the schedule and a map of activities be sent to teachers prior to the event. Fred informed the group that the Arbor Day subcommittee meets at 4 pm at the parks office, the I't Tuesday of the month and all members are invited to attend. Current Business Management Plan: Fred provided copies of other city's management plans for examples to the group. Fred explained he would like the group to quickly review one of the plans to open the floor to discussion and brainstorming on the group's thoughts about the task of working on a management plan. Fred noted that management plans are a big task and it is possible the group would only complete an outline and hand it off to a consultant to complete or they may choose to complete it themselves. Fred stated plans can vary in size, specifics, complexity, plans are different and this project could take a year to complete. The group reviewed an example of an urban forestry strategic and management plan from the Wisconsin DNR, noting components they liked and felt are important. Fred noted he would like the group to focus on the urban forestry management plan portions of the examples versus the urban forestry strategic plans some examples include. Additionally, Fred said he would like the final document to be a working document and guide for the forestry program. Board members and staff expressed the need for a management plan to be brought before council for their involvement. The group brainstormed and agreed to come to the next meeting with reviewed plans, comments and questions. Fred asked members to pick an example plan from the various examples provided and prior to the next meeting, review it, highlight items they liked and didn't like and bring it back to the group for discussion. Misc Business Chad briefly explained that the ordinance draft with attachments of the new permit form, 50150 program description and permit form will be going to the city attorney shortly. Chad said it has been a lengthy process; however that is because the Parks & Recreation Department had a number of other items and projects for review by the attorney ahead of it. Chad stated that everyone is hopeful that it will go before council in the near future. Group Input: The group provided Andrea input on topics for the next newspaper articles. Suggestions included "benefits of the urban forest" and "appropriate species selection for the site". The group briefly discussed the possibility of a donation jar at recycling drives and the workings of the existing memorial tree program. Bette told members the Trees to Paper to Trees spring recycling drive has been scheduled for April 11, 2015, a week after spring break. Bette said she is hopeful this scheduling will make it a good Saturday to get student volunteers. Brock asked for staff to seek confirmation from the city manager to assure that council would approve of the board drafting a management plan, before members spent a lot of time and effort working on it. There was no other discussion. The meeting adjourned at 5:01 p.m.