Arbor Committee

Maple Grove Arbor Committee regular meeting minutes April 11, 2024 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 7:00 p.m. Members present Chair Mary Parenteau, Sarah Piket, Don Varney, Marilyn Arnlund, Bob Henke, Rachael Lamsal, Frank Kampel and Darlene Lindgren. Members absent Apeckchya Karki and Cody Lensing Also present Jesse Corrow, Staff Liaison Approval of agenda Arnlund added item 4B, Metro Bloom, and item 4C Prairie Restoration. Motion Piket, second Varney to approve the agenda for April 11, 2024. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Approval of minutes Kampel noted a typo. Motion Varney, second Arnlund to approve the minutes from March 14, 2024. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Old Business Parking lot subcommittee The subcommittee shared several diagrams that will be provided in development applications and will be referenced in the updated landscape ordinance. Other recent updates include specifics on mulching, porous pavers, and inspector discretion. The subcommittee will begin preparing a presentation of the ordinance updates for staff. 2024 Committee goals The Arbor Committee proposed the following goals for 2024 and will be added to the goals previously discussed: • Review website contents and determine if additional information is needed • Apply for additional grants to better manage the Forest Preservation Area • Explore new ways to spend T-zone cash-in-lieu money • Utilize Tree City USA flags at city fire stations and other public places  • Install Tree City USA signs at Maple Grove entrance points The above goals are in addition to the goals proposed at the March meeting: • Install a small permanent sign at the site of last year’s tree planting event • Host a public tree planting demonstration • Host public tree related classes/seminars at the Government Center • Replace trees removed as part of the 610 extension and other road projects The Committee will work with the City Forester towards achieving the 2024 goals. 2024 Arbor Day event Arbor Committee members provided updates to the “to do” list and discussed other items that need to be taken care of before the event. New Business Street cleanup Committee members scheduled the next street cleanup day for Wednesday, May 15. The committee will meet at Basswood Elementary at 5:30 p.m. Metro blooms Committee member Arnlund shared information about the educational workshops that are put on by Metro Blooms. The Committee discussed the possibility of sponsoring a public workshop in the Emergency Operations Center at the Government Center. Corrow will look into any limitations on the T-zone cash-in-lieu money and if these funds could be spent on this type of workshop. Prairie restoration Arnlund shared that Prairie Restorations also holds educational workshops at their headquarters in Princeton, MN. Arnlund will find out if they would be interested in holding a workshop in Maple Grove and will look into how registration works. Area reports Committee member Varney recalled a nice experience he had with the Public Works department and wanted to give kudos to Jesse Schumacher for his prompt response in placing soil and grass seed on a disturbed area near his neighborhood. Adjournment Motion Piket, second Arnlund to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Vote all ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Jesse Corrow, City Planner City of Maple Grove Arbor Committee