03-30-2009 TBM+HUTCHINSON TREE BOARD
Monday, March 30, 2009
5:00 p.m.
City Center Main Conference Room
Agenda
Members present: __Corey Stearns, __Dale Redetzke, __Laura Poser, _� Newton Potter,
_�_ Steve Cook, Mayor;
Others Present: __Mark Schnobrich, City Forester; _
Others present: John Olson, Public Works Manager
Meeting called to order at _5:00 p.m.
There was a quorum of members present: _�_Y N
1. Hutchinson Mall Hwy 15 S Sign Visual Problems Update
Mark presented the MnDOT permit for tree removal that the Mall requested and
summarized MnDOT's provisions. MnDOT recommended and the board agreed to
request the Hutchinson Mall to do a two for one replacement of trees removed at a
determined value of $2839.68. Cory Stearns stated that he felt this adequately covered
the tree losses and that the mall did not have to commit to their previous offer of three
to one replacement for trees removed. The trees will be planted at the discretion of the
Tree Board. The City of Hutchinson will do the removal of the trees and not charge
the mall for the removal. Mark stated he had been in contact with Chris Peterson at
the mall and will present the MnDOT provisions to mall representatives prior to the
tree removal.
2. Storm Damage Policy Discussion
Tree Board members received a memo describing the situation of storm damage and the
procedures the City of Hutchinson undertakes after a wind storm to assist homeowners
with storm damaged trees. During the process of maintaining boulevard trees after a wind
storm it has been the policy of the City of Hutchinson to assist homeowners with branch
pickup if they place the material on the curb. The board set a few policy standards that
will be presented to the media to inform the public of what is needed from them in order
to have their wood material picked up in a timely manner.
1.) Homeowners must call the city within two days of the wind storm to have their
material picked up
2.) Material will be pickup within 5 working days after the storm as best the city can
3.) Home owners must have their material stacked on the boulevard so that crews can
find it
4.) A storm shall be declared where sustained winds in excess of 25 mph, with gusts
of up to 35 mph will constitute our `storm' criteria
It is hoped that this will help homeowners know what is needed from them in order to
streamline the process of storm damage pickup within the city.
3. Discussion of 2009 Energy Tree Planting Program
Mark indicated that as of March 31, 2009 only 16 applicants had applied for energy trees to
be planted on private property. Mark was hoping for more. Mayor Cook reminded the board
that the grant given to the City of Hutchinson for planting trees had been given on the
premise that the dollars would be used as the City of Hutchinson saw fit as long as the City
of Hutchinson tree program and the citizens of Hutchinson benefited from the expenditure.
4. Other Issues/ New Business
John Olson stated that the McLeod Soil and Water Conservation District has a tree
program that now allows anyone in the county, city or rural residents, to purchase trees
for planting and that the City of Hutchinson should bring this to the attention of city
dwellers to help them find another avenue with which they can secure trees for their
property. Mark said he will do that via the Park & Rec. brochure.
Mayor Cook mentioned that Chris Meyers had spoken to him about an Eagle Scout
project and he suggested that Mark get in contact with Chris to see if a project could be
planned.
Meeting was adjourned at 6:10 PM.
Next meeting will be held April 27th 2009.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Schnobrich
City Forester