07-28-2014 TBMCITY OF HUTCHINSON
TREE BOARD
Monday, July 28th, 2014
5:00 p.m.
City Center
Meeting Minutes
Members present: Newton Potter, Laura Poser, Dale Redetzke, Steve Cook (Council)
Others present: John Olson, Mike Babe, Kirstin Taggart (GreenCorps Member)
Absent: Corey Stearns
Meeting began at 5:00 p.m. There was a quorum of members present.
1) Tree Board Members
Newton Potter (to 04/17, 1 st full-term) Dale Redetzke (to 04/16, 2nd full-term)
Corey Stearns (to 04/15, 1 st full-term) Laura Poser (to 04/15, 1 st full-term)
Steve Cook (Council representative) Mike Bahe (PRCE representative, ex -officio)
John Olson (Public Works representative)
Quarterly Meeting schedules: 01127114, 04128114, 07128114, 10127114.
For meeting schedules & interestforms for serving on the Tree Board, see www.ci.hutchinson.mn.us
2) Review Tree Board Minutes
Minutes were acceptable as printed
3) Standing Reports
Mike stated that the forestry update would be sent out electronically.
4) Operational Issues and Open Proiects
a) Mike discussed the pruning that was done by SavAtree. His inspections and reports to him from
citizens were positive. About 600 trees were pruned. John discussed that there was an increase to the
quoted cost due to some unforeseen circumstances that is expected when doing tree work. John also
mentioned that currently our contracts allow for up to a 20% increase for extra work.
b) Mike updated the board on the Lynn Rd. construction project. There were 4 removals related to the
road project. Trees will be replaced if possible. Some may not be due to site conditions.
c) Kirstin updated the board on the progress of the Tree Diversification Project. The project is on track
to be completed by the July 31st due date. All tree removals and new trees have been planted. Review
of the work still needs to be completed.
5) Other Discussions/ New Business
a) Mike discussed and requested board action on a homeowner request to remove the bur oak tree with
Bur Oak Blight on Juul Rd. Mike informed the board that the tree does have severe symptoms even
though it was injected with a fungicide in 2013. Mike stated that there has been evidence that oaks
that are injected earlier in the growing season have better results with the injections. All board
members present agreed that the tree should remain one more year and re -injected in the spring
of 2015. If the results are poor then removal should be considered in late 2015.
b) Kirstin discussed and presented the preview of the newly updated forestry website. New additions
include species recommendation list for planting in Hutchinson, an EAB section and updated links
associated with arboriculture.
c) Kirstin gave a report to the board about the Tree City USA 35th Year event that was held in June. The
event had to be moved indoors due to severe weather. There were about 50 people in attendance to
hear the band and listen to speakers from the University of Minnesota, the MN DNR Forestry and
Arbor Life Consulting. There were also kid's activities and face painting.
6) Meeting adjourned at 6:OOPM
NEXT MEETING: Monday, October 27th @ 5:OOPM