01-13-16 Street Tree Committee MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD January 13, 2016
Present: Members: Andrea Davidson, Bette Albright, Terry Richmond, Tony Nelson and
Dave Jones
Guest: Barb Anderson
Staff. Fred Bicha and Lisa Simmer
The meeting was officially called to order at 4:05 pm by Dave Jones.
Agenda Topics:
Public Comment
Approval — December minutes
Chairperson Change Discussion
Arbor Day Planning
There was no other public comment.
Public Comment
Approve Minutes
Members approved December 2015 minutes unanimously.
Old Business
There was no old business.
Current Business
Chairperson Change Discussion
Members discussed changing the chairperson. Dave stated he was happy to continue, however
felt he should provide the opportunity to another member. After brief discussion it was decided
that members would like to keep the changing and election of this position casual, non -formal
and based on desire and need. It was agreed that when new people are appointed to the board the
opportunity to change the chairperson position would be presented. Andrea did agree to be
chairperson for the next unspecified term.
Arbor Day - 2016
Fred provided an overview of the surveys from teachers noting that in the informational booth
category popularity ranking was 91 Wild Wings with the raptor birds, #2 bugs, #3 Woodshops
products, #4 DNRC tree planting, #5 Plum Creek, #6 recycling, with other booths not getting a
great deal of votes. Barb said her favorite booth as a teacher was the Audubon booth back in the
wet area, as she had no idea that many birds were in that area, and went back that night with her
husband to bird watch.
Fred distributed a list of tasks related to Arbor Day and asked for lead people for each task.
Fred stressed that one thing everyone needs to be aware of is the fact that last year the Arbor Day
Celebration was paid for with funds from a MT. Tree City USA grant Kalispell had received and
that this year those funds would not be available. Fred stated based on last year's expenditures,
approximately $2,000 in donations from sponsors would be needed in order to host a comparable
celebration. Fred explained that the donations last year covered items such as lunch and t-shirts
for the volunteers, porta potty rentals, and miscellaneous supplies. Fred said he felt it was a bit
bare bones in the area of lunches last year. Fred told members that serious consideration to seek
sponsors to make Arbor Day successful is needed and submitted a sponsorship letter he did in
Billings as an example for members to review.
Other discussion included improving the bus turn around area by placing barricades to prevent
the cones being moved and cars parking in that area. It was also noted that a board member or
volunteer should be stationed in that location to assist buses. Bette mentioned there is a new
transportation person at the school district, so meeting in person to fully explain the situation
would be best. Bette offered to handle this task. Bette also suggested she utilize Terry to help
direct buses on site the day of the event, to which Terry readily agreed. Terry volunteered to
take an active role in getting sponsors and raising $2,000. Terry commented he thinks it's really
nice to have t-shirts with the sponsorship logos on them. Barb said from a teacher's perspective
the t-shirts were very helpful to both students and teachers in identifying volunteers.
Fred read a list of comments from the surveys he sent to teachers. It was decided by all that the
suggestions of a better PA system and an identified and labeled spot for each classrooms lunches
and lunch area be designed on the map. Members suggested large appliance boxes labeled with
classroom and teachers name on them be used. Bette noted that at this time there are 315 Yd
graders registered at this time.
Members reviewed each task listed, discussing what was included in the task and assigned
leaders as follows:
Kids- Bette
• Does all coordination with schools and Tree Board
• Invites teachers
Sponsors (new this year)- Terry & Fred
• Since we did not receive TCOTY grant we will only receive $750 from DRNC, we will
need to fund raise for all the extras that make AD what it is
• Raises funds for trees, food, and t-shirts for volunteers
Environmental Station- Andrea & Tony
• Coordinates all communication between Environmental groups and Tree Board
• Finds new groups to participate
• Established rotation of kids
Food- Dave
Solicits donations to feed approximately 100 volunteers
Lines up food and all the accessories concerning food for the event
Gets food to the event
T-shirts- Fred
• Either develops logo or works with FHS graphic arts dept to develop
• Figures out #'s
• Works with KPR to order
Ceremony- Chad
Develops agenda
Lines up speakers
Puts together equipment needs
Logistics- Dave
• Port -a -potties
• Signs identifying station locations
• Staple guns, etc.
• Boxes for lunches labeled
Media- Barb
• Develops press releases
• Develops talking points for media
• Invites media
• Takes care of media at event
• Develops Facebook post leading up to AD
Community Outreach (maybe not this year but just something to think about)- Marcus
• Brain storms other ways for the community to support Arbor Day
• Maybe get the brewery to give away a tree seedling with every pint sold on AD
• Connect with local arborist to see if they would like to participate
• Maybe work with Media to do a series of tv news articles
• Neighborhood tree planting project in conjunction with AD
Additional comments included:
Bette requested the superintendent of schools be asked to speak at the formal ceremony. It was
discussed that the whole ceremony went a little long and should be shortened a bit. It was noted
the mayor and the superintendent of schools were popular guests with the students. A rain out
day was scheduled for May 6, 2016. Dave will include information on tree planting and will
provide more emphasis on container planting, which may be more applicable to the participant's
lives. Dave said he has ordered 350 seedling trees for the participants. Barb suggested looking
into possible grants and sponsorships through Weyerhauser and volunteered to do some research
on the subject. Stoltz was also discussed as a possibility for grants or sponsorships. Fred
explained that there are other divisions within KPR that seek sponsors and we try not to ask the
same businesses. Fred suggested if anyone has sponsorship contacts please send them along and
he and Terry would compile a list. Barb mentioned that the school marker tree signs from Arbor
Day 2015 are in very rough shape and didn't last. Fred said he would talk to the high school
about getting new replacement signs.
Misc Business
Finalize Newspaper Article Topics
The group discussed topics for newspaper articles and decided on the following:
• 50150 Cost Share planting program.
Andrea suggested talking to someone who has participated. Terry suggesting running this
article earlier than later. Dave suggested combining planting and care of trees with this topic.
Fred explained the next round of 50150 cost share plantings would happen in fall 2016, due to
budget and planting season. Fred said it would be nice to get this article out in spring, when
people are starting to think about planting trees, and allowing for the parks department to
acquire a list for fall planting. Members decided this would be the first article submitted to
paper in February to provide for adequate time for the newspaper to run in spring. Fred said
he would be happy to write the article. Fred said he would write a draft and send to all for
their input.
Right Tree Right Place
Members decided this would be the second article submitted with the thought process it
would run in spring, when people are thinking about tree planting.
Cares for Trees in Drought Conditions
Possibly a June/July article and third article submitted. It was suggested by members that
this might be a good article for Marcus to draft.
Urban Forest and What It Means
Discussion included running this article fourth and in the fall and including language that
speaks to the value of the urban forest. Andrea volunteered to write the draft of this
article.
Program Development Grant
Fred and Lisa gave a brief update on the status of the Program Development Grant, noting that
Fred is currently drafting the RFP for the OF management plan. Fred explained that the crews
will be working on the second component of the grant "Safe Schools" in March during spring
break when the schools are closed and it is ideal for pruning and removals in those locations.
The meeting adjourned at 5:01 pm.
Next meeting scheduled for February 10, 2016
Minutes approved unanimously by the Street Tree Committee February 10, 2016.