Arbor Committee

Maple Grove Arbor Committee Regular meeting minutes September 14, 2023 Mayor’s Conference Room 7:00 p.m. Call to Order The regular meeting of the Arbor Committee was called to order by Chair Parenteau at 7:15 p.m. Members Present Chair Mary Parenteau, Sarah Piket, Don Varney, Darleen Lindgren, Cody Lensing, Rachael Lamsal, Emma Molls and Bob Henke Members Absent Apeckchya Karki, Marilyn Arnlund and Frank Kampel Also Present Jesse Corrow, Staff Liaison Approval of Agenda Henke added Item 4B – City Park EAB Posters to and Lensing added 3E – City Forester Update. Motion Piket, second Henke to approve the agenda for September 14, 2023. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Approval of Minutes Motion Piket, second Henke to approve the minutes from June 8, 2023. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Old Business Tree Planting Event/Fall Tree Corrow stated the Maple Grove Covenant Church will allow Sale/Tree Voucher Program the use of their parking lot for staging and volunteer parking. The Church has also granted permission to plant trees on a flat portion of their property. Corrow reviewed a map that showed the location of the planted trees and noted 56 total trees are planned for planting. City staff will prep the site and follow up with regular watering. The event is planned for Saturday, October 7th at 9:00 a.m. Corrow also discussed the tree order numbers, to date, for the fall tree sale and EAB voucher program, and mentioned the pick-up date for both will be on October 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Maple Grove Days Parade Committee members discussed the how popular their float Review was thanks to having a person in the Smokey Bear costume. The representation of the committee was poor, only four Arbor Committees members attended the parade and the  committee discussed whether it was worth continuing having a float in the parade. Molls mentioned the banner could use some additional weight to hold it down. Parking Lot Subcommittee The committee is nearly through with the landscape Update ordinance revisions and is working on incorporating certain additions from previous research. The subcommittee will need to meet a few more times before it brings its findings to the Arbor Committee and staff for review. Buckthorn Eradication Group Chair Parenteau discussed the recent buckthorn removals at Worden Park and at the arboretum. The rotary club is going to invest in planting native shrubs and plants in the arboretum specifically at the “island” created by two trails. The next buckthorn removal event will be at the Weaver Lake Park boat launch. City Forester Update A City Council work session was held on September 13, 2023 and the recommendation to create a City Forester position was authorized for the 2024 city budget. The actual budget will be approved at a future City Council meeting. New Business Mayor’s Monarch Pledge The Arbor Committee is being asked to take the lead on planning and designing a Community Demonstration Pollinator Garden within the City of Maple Grove. Committee members are asked to look for resources and research plant species, ongoing maintenance and any informational signage that may be helpful onsite. The location of the garden is yet to be determined and should be on city property at a higher traffic area. Committee members Henke, Lindgren and Molls will meet separately and then provide their findings at the regular monthly Arbor Committee meetings. Final plans will be shared with the Park Board and then a recommendation will be brought to the City Council. EAB Posters on Public Ash Informational EAB posters were placed on ash trees located Trees in city parks nearly five years ago. The posters have become weathered and the strings are becoming tight around the trees. The committee agreed to remove the signs. Area Reports Parenteau inquired about the trees planted by MNDOT around the freeway access ramps. Many of the trees have died and wondered if they will be replaced. The street cleanup on Vicksburg Lane was scheduled for October 17, 2023. Arbor Committee members will be meeting at the Basswood Elementary parking lot at 5 p.m. Adjournment Motion Piket, second Molls to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Vote all ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Jesse Corrow, City Planner City of Maple Grove Arbor Committee