07-30-2007 TBM
Tree Board Minutes
July 30, 2007
Members Present: Newt Potter, Dale Redetzke, Laura Poser, Corey Stearns,
Steve Cook
Also attending: John Olson, Public Works Manager, Mark Schnobrich, City
Forester
After introductions of all the new members the meeting was begun.
The members and their terms are as follows.
Laura PoserApril, 2008First Unexpired Term
Newton PotterApril, 2010Second Full Term
Dale RedetzkeApril, 2010Second Full Term
Corey StearnsApril, 2009First Full Term
Steve CookCouncil
Items of Discussion:
The new board members were all introduced and meeting was begun.
Mark presented a brief power point presentation depicting the current 2007 Year Forestry
projects.
-Hutchinson Utilities Commission Energy Tree Planting program. Over 90
trees have been planted thus far with 51 homes receiving trees
-Mark told the board the incidence of Dutch elm disease was high this year
with over twice as many trees being removed in 2007 as in 2006,
Developers Tree Planting program
-. Ravenwood West , South Fork, and
South Winds developments all received trees as part of the city boulevard tree
planting agreement. 71 Trees were planted thus far in new developments
in 2007. These plantings are part if the city’s obligation to plant boulevard
trees with dollars escrowed by developers.
-John Olson discussed the integration of public works, the gray infrastructure
and trees the green infrastructure as part of his duties now and how the two
are intertwined as more and more emphasis is placed on storm water
management and other environmental issues. John also discussed the city
budget short falls and the need to address alternative revenue sources. Of all
of the services a city could charge for, tree removal was one of those
allowable charges that is not currently be charged to property owners. John
requested the Board think about the possibility of charging for some of those
forestry services that are now not being charged.
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- Mark discussed the pending threat of Emerald Ash Borer and where
in the United States the insect is currently present. The City of Detroit,
Michigan has already lost over a million ash trees and the insect appears to be
moving west via contaminated firewood. Mark stated that the City of
Hutchinson was working with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on a
joint project of setting up 6 trap trees in the city parks that the MDA will come
back this fall to monitor for the presence of the Emerald Ash borer.
The meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting will be August 27, 2007 at 5:pm in the City Center.