12-13-17 Street Tree Committee MinutesKALISPELL STREET TREE COMMISSION
MEETING HELD December 13, 2017
Present: Members: Terry Richmond, Barb Anderson, Rick Moore and
Andrea Davidson
Staff: Fred Bicha, Dusty Gage, Keli Kirkland and Lisa Simmer
The meeting was officially called to order at 4:04 pm by Terry Richmond.
There was no public comment.
Public Comment
Approve Minutes
Members unanimously approved the November 2017 minutes.
Current Business
Strategic Planning
Fred distributed copies of last year's strategic plan and the members reviewed each project listed.
Members discussed each project, weighing its success, determining if it should be continued,
revamped or possibly discontinued.
Arbor Day
Members agreed it's very successful and to continue the celebration as it's been the last few
years, with possible small improvements or adjustments.
The group briefly discussed how and if the Arbor Day celebration helps with grant applications.
It was noted that in order to recertify the Tree City USA annually you must have some type of
Arbor Day celebration, however it cannot be used as a Growth Award project. Lisa and Fred
both said they could not think of any grant applications in which having an Arbor Day
celebration counted towards additional points in the review. Rick explained Kalispell picked up
points for the Program Development grant by submitting for the Montana Tree City grant. Terry
asked if there is anything the board members can do in their strategic plan to improve grant
application. Lisa said staff will keep that in mind if they see or think of anything that can help a
grant. Lisa reminded board members that all of their volunteer hours are included in the Tree
City USA recertification and automatically calculated towards monetary contributions to the
city's urban forest. Fred told members he thought we could get more Growth Award points by
adding elements to the Arbor Day celebration, however getting Growth Award points isn't hard
to achieve because the requirement is minimal. Lisa offered to email members the Growth
Award categories just to explore ideas. Fred mentioned staff had talked about expanding Arbor
Day to the Saturday after and hosting activities and inviting nurseries and making it a "tree
show" for adults to try and gain more community involvement. Fred confirmed that Woodland
Park is the site pinpointed for Arbor Day 2018. Dusty said he thinks Woodland Park has a lot to
offer. Everyone agreed the theme "Trees In Our City — Tree-mendous!" is agreed upon and ok.
The group decided to table the discussion of expanding Arbor Day until the next meeting.
Tree Cycle
Fred acknowledged the event had challenges this year. Members suggested possibly still having
the event but looking closer at the date, possibly changing the meeting place back to Central
School Museum, and possibly change mode of transportation.
Discussion was held regarding whether cycling is limiting the amount of people attending the
function. Members acknowledged the free advertising hadn't come through. Terry noted that
there was also a mistake made in a listing, running the wrong date. It was agreed there were a
number of factors that could have resulted in the poor turn out. Members talked about the pros
and cons of a bus, a jammer or a trolley and taking seniors and/or disabled people on a tour.
Various scenarios were discussed and pros and cons weighed. Suggestions were made to not
have the event again but always keep the brochures available to the public to walk or bike the
tour themselves. Members decided to table the discussion and decision until a future meeting.
Host Tree/Tree Board educational awareness event
Members discussed how they had previously decided that the Picnic In The Park is not a good
venue and it was not well received. It was decided that they would research other venues such as
the garden show at the Fairgrounds or Farmer's Market. Staff told members they would look
into the fees and time commitments necessary and bring this information to the next meeting.
Educate public on young _ tree ree pruning
Fred noted this was on last year's strategic plan, however it was not done. Fred said it's a lot
more easily accomplished now that Dusty has been hired and something the board should
consider keeping on the strategic plan. Fred asked Dusty if he thought he could work on this
project, to which Dusty answered affirmatively.
Insure that 50150 cost share trees are watered
Members agreed they enjoyed this project and feel they would like to continue the program.
They stated it was good to talk to citizens face to face and follow up on whether the trees were
getting the water and care they need. Board members agreed to continue this activity.
Better educate 3rd graders about the importance of trees
Fred noted that Barb had accomplished this task and had developed a curriculum that she
provided to the teachers. Barb said teachers were appreciative and thankful for it. Barb stated
she could easily add to the curriculum and would need to get it to new teachers.
Recognize and educate good tree work in Kalispell
Fred said the program to create an award program for tree advocates has been developed, was
not announced and the timing was too late to implement. Fred said he couldn't remember
specifics of the program outline, however feels it is all ready to go. Members agreed they want
to move forward with this activity. Andrea said she would like to involve the Downtown
Business Association and others agreed.
Submit urban forest related new articles to media outlets
Members noted that they did submit a couple articles and Fred said he would like to get one
submitted and published on sidewalk salting. Members agreed to keep this activity as a part of
their plan.
Engage citizens in volunteering for tree maintenance
Andrea said she has the letter developed, however this program has not be implemented. Andrea
stated she feels this still has potential and she will research it more.
Provide young city trees water during dry months
Fred complimented Barb on getting this program into action and recruiting volunteers and
getting trees watered. It was discussed how Dusty may be able to assist coordinating seasonals,
if seasonals can be found. Barb said she will help with July, August and September but won't be
available in June.
FVCC Tree Campus USA
Terry mentioned how FVCC's lack of trees disappoints him and he would like to see the board
members get involved with FVCC and attempt to change this. Fred told him he could probably
connect Terry with a professor who might help with that. Fred explained that they have all their
trees inventoried and have forestry professors on staff and have an arboretum on site that needs
help. Fred informed the board there is a Tree Campus USA certification program. Fred
suggested the board make it a goal this year to connect with the college and explore how they
could work together to promote forestry and more tree planting on their site.
Fred asked for input on what the members would like to see on next year's strategic plan. Fred
asked Lisa to discuss the Program Development grant and how members could help. Lisa
explained to the group that the city was awarded $10,000, which would be used for both partial
tree inventory and the 50150 cost share. Lisa told members the grant includes a one-time
discounted cost to the citizens for the portion of the cost share and that it is hoped that members
could spend time canvasing neighborhoods and promoting the program. Lisa reminded members
that neighborhoods lacking tree canopy would be targeted and be prioritized planting locations.
Lisa explained it's still conceptual planning, however would like the board to consider it as a part
of their strategic plan. Fred stated because the grant was not fully funded per the application
request, it would amount to the planting of 27 trees, under this project. Lisa explained that
interest in the 50150 cost share has dropped and this is the reason the grant proposal application
included this proposed project. Fred stated he hoped it would put some new energy into the
program. Members agreed to add this as one of their activities for the year.
Field Update
Dusty provided a field update, explaining that the crew has been pruning mostly on 71' Ave W,
and have worked on approximately 70 trees. Dusty explained the pruning work has been mostly
for clearance for a future public works street project and he's been more conservative with
pruning over sidewalks. Dusty said he wants to maintain the tunnel like canopy over streets as
much as possible. Dusty told the group he's taking as much time as he thinks necessary to
remove deadwood and give the trees the badly needed attention. Dusty said his intent is not to
have to go back to the trees for a while. Dusty said he's also been trying to be very particular
about clean up, making sure debris isn't left behind and citizens are happy with the work. Terry
commented that he likes the fact that the crews are tackling whole blocks and streets at a time,
instead of pruning here and there. Dusty said he does feel like it's going quite well.
Dusty informed the group that the city does have a new big chipper that works great. Dusty said
that they've been able to take some wood to the high school. Dusty told the group that he likes
the free wood lot and people are appreciative of the wood. Everyone agreed this is a good
service the city provides. Putting free mulch or wood chips on the lot was suggested by Andrea
and discussed by members.
Misc.
Fred briefed the group on the contracts recently put out for pruning on Empire Estates, which are
about 300 smaller trees. Fred said this should be happening sometime this winter. Fred said two
more contracts have been released, one for pruning of approximately 400 small trees near Ashley
Park and another for removal of 90 large trees.
Tree City USA & Growth Award Certifications
Lisa informed members that she has completed submittal of the Tree City USA recertification
and Growth Award.
There was no other business and the meeting adjourned at 4:47 pm.
Approved unanimously at the January 10, 2018 meeting.