02-10-15 Street Tree Committee MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD February 10, 2015
Present: Members: Andrea Davidson, Lance Isaak, Bette Albright, Brock Anderson, Larry
Roberts and Dave Jones
Staff: Chad Fincher, Fred Bicha and Lisa Simmer
The meeting was officially called to order at 4:00 pm by Andrea Davidson.
Agenda Topics:
Public Comment
Approval — January minutes
Street Tree Ordinance Status
Arbor Day 2015
Status of UCF Program Grant
Management Plan
Misc Business
Public Comment
There was no one present or correspondence from the public.
Approve Minutes
There was a quorum. Members approved the January 2015 minutes unanimously.
Old Business
Street Tree Ordinance Status:
Chad informed the group that the draft ordinance is currently in the hands of the city attorney for
review. Chad stated attorney Charlie Harball acknowledged receipt of it, and assured Chad he
would expedite it, however stated he has other priority projects ahead of it. Fred noted that the
parks office is feeling the need to get the ordinance approved, as it goes hand in hand with the
new 50150 program, which the department would like to put in practice this spring.
Current Business
Arbor Day Subcommittee Update:
Bette provided a review of the Arbor Day subcommittee held on February 3. Bette explained
that the group discussed layout of the green industry booths and members anticipate that
classrooms will spend approximately 20 minutes at each booth. Bette said members discussed
the possibility of a physical game and/or activity for students, run by the KPR recreation staff or
volunteers. Bette noted all School Dist. 95 third grade classrooms are planning on attending
which breaks down to 14 classes and 320 students. Bette said she contacted Flathead High
School program leaders Sue Brown (LB. Program) and Angie St. Onge (National Honor Society)
regarding student volunteers to assist teachers and students. Bette said she is looking for 12 — 14
high school students to assist. Members suggested that possibly more students volunteers per
class would be helpful, however it was noted that usually there are parent chaperones on field
trips. Bette informed the group that third grade Elrod teacher Barb Anderson is willing to attend
future Arbor Day subcommittee planning and/or regular meetings, to provide input from a
teacher's point of view. Brock responded to Bette's inquiry if high school students can drive
their own cars or need to be bused, by stating they are not allowed to drive their personal
vehicles and transportation for them would need to be coordinated. Brock also volunteered his
students to help in any manner needed, which includes stuffing the litter bags. Bette mentioned
that Lance is looking into the lunches for the volunteers. Fred noted to date ten vendors have
committed to the function and the goal is 14. Fred stated he feels confident we will reach the
goal. Fred named off the committed vendors for the group. The group discussed the possibility
of Brock's Woods Shop class providing a station with examples of their wood working projects
and assisting each class with a project, such as a bird house, key chain, cookie, etc., for each
class. Bette explained she needs to go back to speak with the superintendent again regarding the
busing and the grant funding identified for offsetting the cost to the schools for busing. Bette
said she is going see if they absolutely must have the funds and if not those funds could be
utilized towards other needs for the day. Fred mentioned he has invited Senator Jon Tester and
the group held discussion regarding other dignitaries and media they would like invited to the
event.
Status of UCF Program Development Project:
Fred provided a brief update regarding the status of this project, explaining that the grant funded
contractor had removed all 24 trees specified in the contracts last week in a period of 3 '/2 days.
Fred noted it cost $750 per tree, which is a very good price. When questioned as to how many
DED trees are left, Fred estimated approximately 100 after this removal season ends. Lisa
informed the group that the backlog of stumping is growing as a result of the ongoing DED
removals.
Management Plan:
Chad informed the group that he did discuss this project with the city manager. Chad stressed
that the city manager does not want this plan to be an avenue for funds to be spent or a
management plan to specify funding. Chad said the city manger likes the idea of the
management plan being a guiding and supporting document directing how the city and
department move forward with addressing the urban forest, identifying the existing struggles and
potentially look at funding sources, however not obligating funds.
Lance stated that he really liked the City of Nelson management plan, as he felt that it strove to
get the community to think of the urban forest as an important infrastructure. The group agreed
that a management plan would be a good document to develop to contain all information
regarding the urban forest in one document. Discussion was held regarding the level of
commitment and ability to produce the document. Fred suggested it could be accomplished in
draft form with each person taking a section. Bette suggested the group start with a simple
document that could be expanded on as time allowed. Dave explained there are a lot of
considerations when determining how specific and exact you want a management plan to be.
Chad suggested the document identify various levels of care and possibly listing prioritized
tasks. Chad stated that oftentimes you are not able to accomplish all that is suggested or
identified in a management plan; however it is a resource document to rely on to provide
direction.
Andrea suggested that the benefits be noted along with listed tasks, so that the positive outcomes
would be identified. Dave said he thinks the first steps of a management plan would be
identifying the goals and objectives and this would provide the basics and starting point. Brock
stated that it might be beneficial to get council involved with listing of goals and objectives, to
acquire their input and buy in. Staff noted that council might very well want to have a workshop
on the management plan, and even prior to that there is a chance council will want to have a
workshop on the ordinance with board members. Chad informed the group that council has been
made aware of the boards work on the ordinance through blurbs in the manager's report. Fred
suggested that a survey of the community be considered to include public input.
Everyone agreed that they would put together lists identifying goals, objectives, items and tasks
they feel are important components to the management report and would work on prioritizing
them at the next meeting as a starting point. Lisa invited members to email her their lists in
advance and she would compile them into one list.
Misc Business
Group Input
Spring Recycling Drive:
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 has contacted the Daily Inter Lake and
they will begin advertising at their convenience. Lisa suggested to Bette that the Daily Inter
Lake use pictures provided last time, as there should be some they have not used. Bette stated
Dale Augusta of Pacific Recycling has retired, however she has contacted his replacement and
lined up the bins. Lisa said she would contact Josh with Valley Recycling via email regarding a
plastics bin. It was decided that the group would include plastics in the advertising. Lisa noted
she has put the Trees To Paper To Trees recycling drive on the city calendar and will be sending
out the PSA's. Chad mentioned he would like Eric Bruer, City of Kalispell Media Specialist to
attend both the recycling drive and Arbor Day event.
Daily Inter Lake Articles:
Andrea asked the group for input on a subject(s) for the next article she will be drafting. The
group suggested the right tree for the right place, species selection and the value and importance
of the urban forest.
EAB Presentation:
Fred informed the group that the Montana State University and other organizations will be in
Kalispell on Thursday, April 2, 2015, giving an evening workshop and presentation on EAB —
Emerald Ash Borer. The workshop will be held in council chambers and staff will provide the
group specifics when they receive them.
Arborist Breakfast:
Fred informed the group that next Tuesday, February 17, 2015, there is a no host arborist
breakfast at Perkins at 7 am. The breakfasts are being held in hopes of getting local arborists and
tree related business people together, networking and sharing knowledge regarding forestry.
Fred noted that the Montana Dept of Ag will be presenting and discussing chemical application.
Next Meeting:
Lisa noted the next meeting is March 10, 2015. Lisa suggested that the agenda include the group
reviewing and revising their annual presentation before council in April to include the expanded
Arbor Day Celebration, and other projects such as the work they did on the Tree Ordinance
revision.
There was no other discussion. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes approved unanimously by the Street Tree Committee, March 10, 2015.