10-27-2014 TBMCITY OF HUTCHINSON
TREE BOARD
Monday, October 27th, 2014
5:00 p.m.
City Center
Meeting Minutes
Members present: Newton Potter, Anne Kosel, Dale Redetzke, Steve Cook (Council)
Others present: John Olson, Mike Bahe, Shelby Gamache (GreenCorps Member),
Mark Schnobrich (Guest)
Absent: Corey Stearns
Meeting began at 5:05 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, 1st full-term) Annie Kosel (to 01/18, 1st 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
Prior to Minutes review Annie Kosel was introduced as the new Tree Board member replacing Laura
Poser. (Laura asked to be off the board when a suitable replacement could be found.)
Minutes were approved as printed
3) Standing Reports
a) Mike Bahe reported that the planting is almost completed for the year. The last remaining project is
the replacement of the trees on Edmonton Avenue that were killed by herbicide drift from the adjacent
agriculture field. The dead trees have been removed and the new ones will be installed in the next
couple weeks. Mike reported that the city planted over 300 trees total, 120 of which were Energy
Trees on Private property.
b) Mike mentioned that the current contracted tree and stump removals are close to being completed.
c) John Olson reported that the Public Works crew had been out doing pruning and removals the couple
of weeks prior to the leaf vacuuming operation. The Public Works crew removed approx. 25 trees, 5
of which were from the September 20th wind event. Regular pruning operations will begin after
Thanksgiving as weather conditions permit.
4) Operational Issues and Open Proiects
a) Mike updated the board on the September 20th visit by Dr. Tom Harrington from ISU assessing the
efficacy of the fungicide treatments in bur oaks as a remedy for bur oak blight in Oakland Cemetery.
Harrington was disappointed with the results of the fungicide treatments but encouraged the City to
continue treating the trees. Harrington thought that the unusually perfect conditions this spring for
the proliferation of the bur oak blight fungus was a main factor in the poor results of the inoculations.
Harrington mentioned that Oakland Cemetery is one of the nicest cemeteries he has seen in regards
to its landscape and care.
5) Other Discussions/ New Business
a) Shelby Gamachc, GreenCorps Member working with the University of Minnesota Extension in
McLeod County presented on her service project. Shelby will be working with cities and towns in
McLeod County doing tree inventories, education on urban forest management and emerald ash borer
(EAB) awareness. She also hopes to create an informational booklet on appropriate replacements for
ash trees in this part of the state. Mike mentioned that this county wide work will help to create a
buffer around Hutchinson in the event that EAB is found in the county outside of Hutchinson.
b) Door Hanger Discussion. Mikc discussed that he receives regular calls from citizens with questions
about city tree plantings and removals. He proposed that we use door hangers as a method of
notification when doing urban forest maintenance activities similar to other communities. Mike
presented examples from the City of Minneapolis. The hangers would be used for prior to planting, at
planting, prior to removal (if possible) and private tree condemnation if needed. Steve Cook asked if
the planting notices could be put out earlier in the spring. Mike mentioned that to fit into our normal
operation the preplanting hangers would be dispersed about 3 days before planting. Annie Koscl
suggested that tree removal hangers be placed at adjacent properties as well because they are also
affected by loss of tree canopy. Dalc Rcdctzkc suggested this be done for private tree condemnations
also. There was also a suggestion that after visible energy tree plantings that door hangers be placed
at neighboring houses as advertisement for the program. John Olson stated that city staff will create
template door hangers for Hutchinson and present them to the board for further discussion at the next
meeting.
c) There was a side discussion on private tree condemnation. Mike suggested that this topic be discussed
at a later meeting because it is important, and unclear, as to what the City's role is. Mike mentioned
that currently the City only condemns nuisance trees for Dutch elm disease and threats to targets on
public property and right-of-ways.
6) Meeting adjourned at 6:10PM
NEXT MEETING: Monday, January 26th @ 5:OOPM