Arbor Committee

Maple Grove Arbor Committee regular meeting minutes June 13, 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, Cody Lensing Also present Rachelle Johnson, City Council Liason Shane DeGroy, Staff Liaison Approval of agenda Parenteau corrected the discrepancy on the order of agenda items. Motion Piket, second Varney to approve the agenda for June 13, 2024. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Approval of minutes Arnlund noted a typo. Kampel noted two others. Parenteau noted an omission in attendance and noted a typo. Motion Arnlund, second Kampel to approve the amended minutes from May 9, 2024. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Old Business Maple Grove Days parade Committee members shared whether or not they would be attending, and whether or not they would be able to walk in the parade. DeGroy added his intention to attend and participate. Kampel announced that Parenteau will be Grand Marshall of this year’s parade, and the committee congratulated her. The committee held a vote on participating in the parade. Vote all ayes. Pollinator garden update DeGroy shared that the city is waiting on a plan to be presented from Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens. Parenteau explained that the Arbor Committee and Rotary Club would like input on the plan. Arnlund inquired as to the possibility of getting signs. Henke expressed concern that the signs could get stolen. Parking Lot Subcommittee DeGroy indicated that he had feedback for the subcommittee. The subcommittee decided to email in the  next week and find a time to meet with DeGroy to discuss their work. Members traded examples of parking lot vegetation that did and didn’t look good around the city. Arbor Committee Goals The Arbor Committee reviewed their goals for 2024. Piket suggested that the list was long, and that the committee may be more successful with a more refined list. After some combinations and eliminations, the committee ended up with the following list of goals for 2024: • Explore new ways to spend T-zone cash-in-lieu money and plant gravel bed tree seedlings • Utilize Tree City USA flags and signs in public places and Maple Grove entrance points, as well as a sign at the site of last year’s planting event • Host educational classes and a public tree planting demonstration • Work with City Forester on a Forest Preservation Management Plan The Committee will continue updating their goals and work with the City Forester towards achieving them. New Business Fall tree sale The committee went through the list of tree species provided by Grove Nursery and discussed the viability of each species in regard to ecology, representation, and public demand. DeGroy will reach out to the nursery with the ten species that the committee selected. Arbor Committee vacancies DeGroy reported that there has been at least one application for the two vacancies, with eleven more days until the application window closes. Tree seedlings planting Parenteau inquires whether Parks would want the seedlings. location DeGroy will find out. Arnlund asks why a new T-zone couldn’t be created by planting the seedlings on non-park city property. Conservation Partners DeGroy reported that there is interest from the city in Legacy grant applying to this grant again, but the application window doesn’t open until spring of 2025. Area reports Parenteau reports that Dan Sanford checked in on the trees that were planted near CSAH-30, and thought the trees looked “fabulous,” aside from a handful that died.  Loraine Gresser, an Arbor Committee founding member passed away. DeGroy will check with Parks on the potential for a memorial tree or bench in the City Arboretum. Adjournment Motion Piket, second Varney to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Vote all ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Shane DeGroy, City Forester City of Maple Grove Arbor Committee