Tree Commission Agendas/

TREE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES APRIL 1, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: Gerald Haw, Pat Williams, Sue Verheek, Janice Waterman, Bob Johnson, Cookie Friedrich MEMBERS UNEXCUSED: Pat Sagala OTHERS PRESENT: Kathie Boyle, Jeff Mikula – City of Manistee Jim Grabowski, Dale Cooper – City Council Members Jen Teller – 712 Harbor Drive\ Williams read a letter dated June 5, 2017 regarding the history of the Tree Commission (attached). A regular meeting of the Manistee Tree Commission was called to order by Chair Janice Waterman on Monday, April 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in the lunch room at City Hall. CITIZEN/PUBLIC COMMENT Jen Teller from 712 Harbor Drive in attendance to again address Tree Commission on her request for a tree limb trimming in the First Street Beach area north of the tennis courts. Mrs. Teller included a letter from a certified arborist that the trimming would not be detrimental to the health of the tree. The Teller’s agree to pay to have the limb removed and also donate $1000 for planting of new trees in any location agreed to by the City or any other foundation(s) the commission deems appropriate. Discussion followed, this request has been brought up before to the Tree and Parks Commission, three different City Managers and City Council. Motion by Verheek, second by Friedrich to leave tree branch as is. All in Favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Friedrich, second by Haw to accept August 16 and September 1, 2019 minutes and place on file. All in Favor. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Chalk Art Contest A request from the former Mayor to the City Attorney inquiring whether expenditures to support the “Chalk Art Contest” were a legal expense. The attorney determined the expenditures are not a legal expense for the City. Discussion followed. Motion by Friedrich, second by Haw to discontinue the Chalk Art Contest. All in Favor. Tree Planting Program In previous years the City has contracted tree planting to any citizens who wish to purchase a tree(s) in the amount of $40.00 per tree including a water bag. Approximate cost per tree is $300.00 per tree. Motion by Haw, second by Verheek to continue the same program as previous years keeping the cost per tree at a cost of $40.00. All in Favor. COMMENTS Boyle provided fourteen tree trimming/removal requests to Waterman for review. Mikula updated the commission on the DPW trimming and removal of trees in the ROW that hit plow trucks. Twelfth Street construction will begin in June; also street construction at First Avenue and Fremont Street will need to have trees removed. Stump grinding began April 1, 2019. Friedrich requested tree in ROW at 8th & Concord Street be cut down. Motion by Friedrich, second by Johnson to adjourn at 5:50 p.m. All in Favor. Next meeting date – Monday, May 6, 2019 @ 5:00 p.m. in the lunch room at City Hall. Respectfully submitted, Kathie Boyle Recording Secretary