08-27-2007 TBMTree Board Minutes
August 27, 2007
Members Present: Newt Potter, Dale Redetzke, Corey Stearns,
Steve Cook
Members Absent: Laura Poser
Also attending: John Olson, Public Works Manager, Mark Schnobrich, City Forester
Items of Discussion:
Mark presented a brief update on the tree planting and tree removal progress for the month of
August.
-Hutchinson Utilities Commission Energy Tree Planting program is now complete
with a total of 187 Energy trees being planted thus far with 52 homes receiving trees
-Development plantings \[ those trees that are planted in developments via escrowed
dollars from developers \] reached 71 trees in 2007. Rolling Meadows East, First
Addition to Rolling Meadows East, South Fork, South Winds and Ravenwood West
all received trees in 2007
-City Boulevards other than developments received 83 trees
-The City of Hutchinson lost 141 trees as of August 30, 2007, 59 elms, 21 maples, and
18 black ash, being the predominant species being removed in 2007
Mark stated that the “ Find the Biggest Tree Contest “ that is conducted during the annual Arbor
Day program at Park Elementary is being proposed for this fall and asked if board members
would be willing to assist again this year. Dale Redetzke said he would contact Nisha Withers,
rd
the 3 grade teacher’s liaison, and propose such a program.
John Olson gave a power point presentation on the concept of incorporating Minnesota Statutes
429 into Forestry by initiating an assessment fee for tree removal on public boulevards. John
outlined the idea by listing all currently assessed services and stated that of those allowed by state
statutes, tree removal was the only one not being utilized by the City of Hutchinson at this time.
John stated that different fees would be proposed for different sized trees. He outlined the costs
that are incurred by the city relating to tree removal and recommended that an 80/20 split in costs
for the removals be split by city/property owner.
The board questioned the size break down and recommended that a set cost per inch of tree
diameter be established so as to make the costs easily calibrated by the property owner. John
emphasized that this was just an introduction into the idea of such a fee and that he would bring
back the cost per diameter inch fee rate back to board at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting will be September 24, 2007 at 5:pm in the City Center
.