Tree Commission Agendas/

Tree Commission Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022 Members Present: Gerald Haw, John Helge, Sam Coram, Vidar Lerum, Dennis Otto Others Present: Kelly McColl, Jeff Mikula – City of Manistee A regular meeting of the Manistee Tree Commission was called to order by Chair Helge on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 4:57 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee. I. Call to Order a) Roll Call b) Approval of Agenda – Chair Helge asked for any additions/changes to the agenda; the agenda was approved as presented. II. Citizen/Public Comment Michelle Pepera, 221 Washington Street – submitted a tree removal request back in April 2022 and has not heard back from the Commission. Chair Helge apologized for the lack of response. He did review the request and drove by the property – the tree removal request was denied. The lack of response was attributed to the staff change over in the DPW. Jeff Mikula will have Katie send the determination letter to them, per Michelle’s request. III. Approval of Minutes Motion by Vidar Lerum, second by Gerald Haw to approve the minutes from the July 11, 2022, meeting as presented. Voice vote – Motion passed. IV. Unfinished Business a) Update on Tree Purchase Program – high response to the program this year due to marketing. Discussion included: • High order volume impacted contractor’s timeframe • Expects planting to begin in two weeks • Contractor was limited to five “miss dig” calls per day • Contractor communication with residents to ensure proper watering of newly planted trees • Contractor plants trees with full watering bag • Chair Helge will compose letter for residents expecting trees and for social media posting b) Update on progress from special committee to review Vegetation Management Plan Discussion included: • Committee met last week and has a rough draft complete • Will meet a few more times to iron out any issues • Will submit completed copy to City Attorney for review V. New Business a) Manistee City Tree Inventory Mapping Project – Vidar Lerum Discussion included: • Creating a tree inventory of all trees on City land • Using app for uploading information to GIS • Ability to customize fields for data • City already utilizes GIS database for other City assets and blight mapping • Maintaining database • Costs associated with additional use of GIS • Benefits and community improvement this data would provide ➢ Numbers of trees/species ➢ Maturity of tree populations ➢ Identifying diversity and hazards ➢ Making data available to public ➢ Utilizing volunteers to gather data/City providing tools and support Jeff Mikula will have a representative from Spicer come and speak at the next meeting about GIS. VI. Announcements Sam Coram – spoke in favor of the tree inventory; likes the idea of identifying species, where they are located and possibility for pest control. Gerald Haw – would like to have the tree trim request added to the Tree Commission page on the City’s website under Useful Documents. Kelly McColl will update the website as requested tomorrow. Chair Helge – reviewed the updated process of receiving tree trimming/removal requests and immediately distributing to the Commission through email. Will contact Katie to verify that the new process is documented somewhere other than the July 11, 2022, meeting minutes. VII. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned by Chair Helge at 6:02 p.m. Next meeting date – September 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee. Respectfully submitted, Kelly McColl Sub Recording Secretary