Arbor Committee

Chair Address: Mary Parenteau 12800 Arbor Lakes Pkwy Committee Members Maple Grove, MN 55369 Marilyn Arnlund Bob Henke Phone: Frank Kampel 763-494-6040 Zach Klehr Rachael Lamsal Arbor Committee agenda September 12, 2024 7 p.m. Website: Darlene Lindgren maplegrovemn.gov Sarah Piket Mayor’s Conference Room Ellis Richard Mark Ustimchuk Donald Varney 1. OPENING BUSINESS A. Call to order 2. A. Approval of agenda B. Approval of minutes – August 8, 2024 regular meeting 3. SPECIAL BUSINESS A. Welcome new committee member 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Tree condemnation update B. Parking lot subcommittee: landscape calculation C. Buckthorn group update D. Pollinator garden update E. Tree sale update F. Fall tree plantings 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Interactive tree inventory B. Vicksburg street cleanup 6. AREA REPORTS A. Landscape plans 7. ADJOURNMENT  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Approval of agenda and minutes – agenda item 2A and 2B PREVIOUS ACTIONS: None RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: Call by Chair ________________ for any additions or revisions to the agenda. Motion by Committee member ________________, seconded by Committee member __________________ to approve as proposed or approve as amended the agenda for the September 12, 2024 regular meeting. Motion by Committee member __________________, seconded by Committee member ______________ to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2024 regular meeting as presented or as amended. COMMENTS: Click or tap here to enter text. ATTACHMENTS:  Maple Grove Arbor Committee regular meeting minutes August 8, 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, Bob Henke, Frank Kampel, Zak Klehr, Ellis Richards, Don Varney Members absent Marilyn Arnlund, Rachael Lamal, Darlene Lindgren, Sarah Piket Also present Rachelle Johnson, City Council Liaison Shane DeGroy, Staff Liaison Approval of agenda Motion Kampel, second Varney to approve the agenda for August 8, 2024. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Approval of minutes Motion Varney, second Kampel to approve the amended minutes from June 13, 2024. Vote all ayes. Motion passed. Special Business Welcome new committee Klehr and Richards shared about themselves and were members welcomed to the Arbor Committee. Old Business Arbor Committee Vacancies Cody Lensing has retired from the Arbor Committee, effective immediately. His vacancy will be quickly filled due to the interviews that were recently conducted for the other Arbor Committee vacancies. Maple Grove Days parade For the first time, members of the public asked if the recap committee was giving out trees, and also for the first time, we were. 350 free seedling vouchers were distributed (along with plenty of candy) during the parade. Next year will be the committee’s 40th anniversary, which is something to keep in mind. Parking Lot Subcommittee The Parking Lot Subcommittee’s work was shared with city update staff in the Community & Economic Development Department. Next steps will involve a meeting to get their  feedback, and thinking of any other alterations to city ordinances that could be put forth at the same time. Fall tree sale update The committee worked to determine how many of each species should be available for this year’s fall tree sale. Fall tree planting The committee went over the potential planting sites for the seedlings that are in the gravel bed, as well as weighing the idea of having multiple smaller plantings, or donating the seedlings to the Parks department. New Business Tree condemnations update The city has been condemning hazardous trees (mostly dead or dying ash) on commercial properties along Elm Creek Boulevard. Property owners have 90 days to abate the hazard. If the trees have not been removed after 90 days, the city will remove them and assess the property owner for the cost. Any trees removed will have to be replaced to be in compliance with the city’s landscape ordinance. Maple Grove Government There are plans to remove some dead or dying trees on the Center planting plan Government Center campus and replace with new trees. Current draft plans have more trees being planted than removed. Area reports Arnlund inquired on the progress of removing dead ash trees behind Maple Grove Crossings mall. Staff will inspect and enforce tree removal when the growing season begins. Adjournment Motion Varney, second Klehr to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Vote all ayes. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Shane DeGroy, City Forester City of Maple Grove Arbor Committee  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: New committee members – Special business - agenda item 3A PREVIOUS ACTIONS: None RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: Welcome the new Arbor Committee members, Mark Ustimchuk. COMMENTS: City Forester DeGroy and Chair Parenteau held interviews with candidates to fill the vacancies on the Arbor Committee. Mark has a passion for service and experience organizing volunteer events and works for Anoka County Parks & Recreation. With his background, skills, and passion for the environment, Mark will make excellent additions to the Arbor Committee. On September 3, 2024, the City Council approved of appointing Mark Ustimchuk to the Maple Grove Arbor Committee. Please welcome Mark to the committee. ATTACHMENTS: None  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Tree condemnations update – Agenda Item 4A PREVIOUS ACTIONS: None RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: None at this time. COMMENTS: I wanted to provide an update on the city’s condemnations of hazardous trees. The city has condemned 182 hazardous trees on commercial properties near Elm Creek Boulevard. Of the 182 trees, 110 have been removed or are in the early stages of the removal process. 110 trees is just over 60%. ATTACHMENTS: None  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Parking Lot Subcommittee – agenda item 4B PREVIOUS ACTIONS: The Parking Lot Subcommittee met on September 5, 2024. The subcommittee received feedback from city staff, made edits, and provided feedback of their own. COMMENTS: Maple Grove’s current landscape ordinance requires 1 overstory tree for every 40 perimeter feet of the lot being developed. This is an imperfect system, especially in regards to subdivisions and oddly-shaped parcels. The city welcome’s the Arbor Committee’s suggestions for alternate ways to calculate overstory tree requirements. ATTACHMENTS: None  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Buckthorn Eradication Group – Item 4C PREVIOUS ACTIONS: The committee has discussed the buckthorn group that was formed and consists of members from the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Arbor Committee and city staff. RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: None COMMENTS: The buckthorn group has been hard at work, gathering volunteers and removing buckthorn on city property twice per month. This week the group was interviewed by CCX for a piece on buckthorn eradication efforts in the city. ATTACHMENTS: None  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Pollinator Garden Update – Agenda Item 4D PREVIOUS ACTIONS: Maple Grove Parks Department has been working with Heidi’s Lifestyle Gardens who has provided a quote of $2,736 for the initial design. The designer has walked the site and is aware of our budget and timeline for planting. The design process is set to begin in late June and be completed by August, with planting projected for late September or early October. RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: None at this time. COMMENTS: I wanted to provide the update on the pollinator garden that I received from Ben Jaszewski, Superintendent of Parks & Planning: “Not much has changed since the last update. Parks staff is working to get irrigation installed and perform minor soil correction. The design process will begin in October with the plan to order materials in January for a late April early May installation. I'll reach out once we've confirmed dates the planning meetings for the design next month. Parks maintenance is a little short on staff right now, but will have more time when the mowing season ends in October.” ATTACHMENTS: None  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Tree sale update – agenda item 4E PREVIOUS ACTIONS: On August 8, 2024 the Arbor Committee selected quantities for this year’s tree sale. RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: None COMMENTS: As of September 9, 2024, 16 of the 115 allotted trees have been sold. That’s 14% of the allotted trees. 5 of the 16 have been autumn brilliance serviceberry, the most popular item so far.  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Fall tree planting - Agenda Item 4F PREVIOUS ACTIONS: The Arbor Committee was gifted 100+ bare root tree seedlings and have planted them in the gravel bed next to the Public Works garage. Hennepin County will also be providing up to 650 seedlings. The Committee then considered potential planting locations, and suggested planting seedlings at several of the locations. RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: Consider possible planting dates for this fall. COMMENTS: The Arbor Committee previously considered the attached city owned properties as potential tree planting sites. Some will be planted at select buckthorn removal sites, and the Parks department would also be willing to take excess seedlings and plant them on park property. ATTACHMENTS: Tree planting sites  Site #3 Northwest quadrant of Vicksburg Lane & Elm Road (area shown is approximately 1 acre) + Good visibility from Elm Road + Parcel is not large enough for future development + Easy access for tree watering and maintenance + No existing trees - Small parcel - Would have to avoid storm pond  Site # 31 End of Weston Lane adjacent to Interstate 94 (area shown is approximately 1.26 acres) + Parcel is not large enough for future development + Easy access for tree watering and maintenance - Power lines present - will have to avoid planting in the easement - Cul-de-sac from Weston Lane is present - heavy tree coverage in some areas - Existing trees may hinder visibility from interstate  Park Site Linear Park with Recent Removals (area shown is approximately 0.6 acres) + Parcel was recently clear cut due to EAB and is in need of trees + Some water access from Meadowlark Ln + Neighbors have indicated willingness to water - Less visibility than sites along busier roads  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Interactive Tree Inventory – Item 5A PREVIOUS ACTIONS: None RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: Consider interactive tree inventory examples COMMENTS: Bob Henke came upon the University of Iowa’s interactive tree inventory and was impressed. Some other examples from local areas are also being shared with the committee. ATTACHMENTS: University of Iowa City of Robbinsdale Voyageur Environmental Center  REQUEST FOR ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION MEETING DATE: September 12, 2024 PREPARED BY: Shane DeGroy, City Forester AGENDA ITEM: Vicksburg Street Cleanup – Item 5B PREVIOUS ACTIONS: The Arbor Committee regularly hosts street cleanup events along Vicksburg Lane North. RECOMMENDED ARBOR COMMITTEE ACTION: Plan details of next street cleanup event. COMMENTS: The Arbor Committee regularly hosts street cleanup events along Vicksburg Lane North. ATTACHMENTS: None