10-27-2008 TBM+HUTCHINSON TREE BOARD
Monday, October, 27 2008
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Center
Minutes
Members present: _4 Corey Stearns, J Laura Poser, 4 Newton Potter,
Members absent: Steve Cook, Dale Redetzke
Others Present: _X—Mark Schnobrich, City Forester;
Others present:
Meeting called to order at _5:15_ p.m.
There was a quorum of members present: —4—Y N
1. Hutchinson Mall Highway 15 South Sign Visual Problems
Mark stated that after submitting the required paper work for the permit requesting trees to be removed
from the right -of way, that he has not heard back from MnDOT and was unable to report further on the
progress. Gus Wurdell of the Hutchinson Mall requested to remove four trees to improve visibility of
the Hutchinson Mall sign.
2. Discussion of revising the Soil Enhancement guidelines.
The last time it was presented was in 2002
Mark presented examples of other communities who had implemented soil correction requirements such as
Woodbury and Maplewood. In those communities they had included them into their Comprehensive plans
and had quite extensive guidelines that developers and contractors had to adhere to. In those requirements
they outlined inspection procedures and other systematic courses of action that were to take place in order
to truly improve the soil conditions. Also highlighted was a study from Dane County, Wisconsin
describing tests results from deep chisel plowing and other corrective measures which were performed to
break up the compacted soil due to construction. The results showed actual improvement in water
infiltration and resulted in less runoff on lots receiving corrections as compared to those lots that were not
corrected.
Mark will be presenting a draft proposal to the Planning Staff for their review in November and will report
back to the Tree Board as to what the next step will be in presenting this to the council.
3. Other Discussions/ New Business
A video from the Michigan Department of Forestry was shown on the Emerald Ash Borer and the
devastation it has caused in that state. Tree Board members commented on the potential losses that could
occur here in Hutchinson. Newt Potter asked what the Ash population was in Hutchinson and Mark stated
that 18% of Hutchinson' trees are in the Ash family. Mark also stated that the State of Minnesota is
exceptionally vulnerable to this insect due to the fact that Minnesota has a very large wild population of ash
trees along with the high percentage of urban ash trees that were planted in the last 20 years.
At _6:10 p.m., a motion to adjourn was made.
NEXT MEETING: November 30, 2008