05-24-2010 TBMHUTCHINSON TREE BOARD
at City Hall
Monday, May 24, 2010
5:00 p.m.
City Center Main Conference Room
Agenda
Members present: __Corey Stearns, Dale Redetzke, _4 Laura Poser, _J Newton Potter,
_� Steve Cook, Mayor;
Members absent Dale Redetzke
Others Present: _� Mark Schnobrich, City Forester;
Others present:
Meeting called to order at _5 _p.m.
There was a quorum of members present: _� Y N
l.) University of Minnesota /Gravel Bed Grant Update
Mark updated the board on the grant project with the U and stated that a good
group of volunteers, including 5 high school students, participated in the Tree
Board ID training session which included 14 hours of instruction. Gary Johnson
of the University complemented the group of adults and students and will be
returning to help set up the tree inventory in June. This is all part of the project
that will help Hutchinson prepare for the Emerald Ash Borer.
2.) Adams Street Project Landscape Plan Update
A total of 21 trees were successfully tree spaded off of Adams St SE. These trees
will now not be removed as part of the street project taking place this year.
Washington Ave E is currently under construction and landscaping will take place
on Washington Ave E this year were as all tree replacements on Adams St will
take place in spring 2011.
3.) Boulevard Tree Planting Update
Boulevard tree planting has begun with approximately 20 or so trees being
planted last week and more trees going in this week with assistance from the STS
[ sentence to serve ] crew from the county.
4.) Tree Contractor Licensing
The Board concluded that the city should pursue the licensing of tree contractors
as a way of protecting citizen tree owners from unscrupulous fly by night tree
contractors. The licensing of contractors would also be a way the city could keep
track of insured and reputable contractors that could be utilized by the city in a
state of emergency should the need arise. Schnobrich was instructed to contact
City Attorney Marc Sebora in regards to setting up the process to begin the
licensing. Also a research of what fees would be charged with the thought that the
fee structure here in Hutchinson would be low initially, depending upon what
costs would be associated with the licensing procedure.
5.) Interesting Local Tree and Insect Occurances
Mark reported that an outbreak of Eastern Tent Caterpillar is present this year.
Little damage will occur to the trees but lots of people are calling in to get advice
on how to control the infestation.
Along with that, this year has been ideal for Anthracnose leaf fungus to occur. We
are seeing vast coverage in all parts of town of leaf drop on Ash trees. Besides the
litter problem in every ones yards, little damage will be done to the trees. Some
releacng of the trees will occur if enough loss within the crown is seen by the
tree.
Other
Mayor Cook discussed the concept of an Environmental Board to replace the Tree
Board. The new board would be involved with a broader range of environmental
issues beyond just trees. Such things as energy savings, storm water management,
soils issues, etc This type of board is being utilized in other communities as a way
to get citizen involvement on issues facing our community that have broad
environmental impacts. A group of city staff members are pursuing this idea
further.
Newt Potter suggested that the low response to the Energy Tree Applications
could be turned around by advocating homeowners think seriously about
replacing their Ash trees with energy trees. This way even though the city is
seeing a decline in new home building, older more treed sections of could find
space and reason to replant their yards.
Meeting was adjourned at 6: pm
Respectfully submitted
Mark Schnobrich