Urban Forestry

Menomonie Urban Forestry Board Minutes Wednesday, September 21, 2022 – 1:00pm – 1st Floor Council Chambers - City Hall Committee Members Present: John Anshus (Absent) Cindy Gilberts (2.0 hr.) Joe Jax (Chair) (2.0 hr.) Bob Giede (Absent) Dennis Kropp (2.0 hrs.) Mike Schendel (1.0 hr.) Mike Smith (2.0 hr.) Eric Sutherland (1.0 hrs.) Monika Herrmann (2.0 hr.) Others present: Randy Eide, Dave Frank, Megen Hines, Mike Morrow, Tammy Eckert The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Joe Jax. A sign-up sheet was passed around with names of attendees and their number of volunteer hours worked. August minutes were sent to the committee prior to the meeting and were reviewed. Dennis Kropp made a motion to accept those minutes and Cindy Gilberts seconded. Motion passed. Public Comment: None Mission Statement Review: Board Member Monika Herrmann spoke in favor of reviewing the UFB Mission Statement with Dennis Kropp volunteering the City’s New Forestry /City Parks Foreman, Mike Morrow to assist in its’ update. 2023 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application: Motion made by Dennis Kropp, seconded by Cindy Gilberts and carried unanimously to move forward the endorsement of the Forestry Grant Application. Website Review: Randy Eide spoke about rebranding the website. How to make the site more user friendly, streamline information from three different locations of information to just one and add a link to the Urban Forestry Board’s City Canopy inventory for the public to view. Board members were invited to contact Randy and/or Megen Hines with ideas or suggestions. Amur Cork Tree Update: Dave Frank, Community Services Superintendent, states most to all trees have been removed from the boulevard. The next step is their stump removal. Future Invasive Species: Board member, Mike Smith shows a presentation of the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly. Native to China, it is presently on the East Coast moving 25 miles per year as it “hitch hikes” on stationary objects on main distribution routes. 1.5” long, the adult climbs and glides from trees. It burrows and is a “sucking” type of pest. Known more for its’ nuisance than its’ tree damaging properties as it excretes “honey dew” (feces). Urban Forester Report: Fall 2022 Tree Planting Progress: Getting ready for Fall tree planting – reviewing Tree Canopy Report for reference. Urban Forestry Replacement Progress: Reviewing space needs and any conflicts due to locations of utility lines. City Council Report: Eric Sutherland reports • Reviewing the 2023 Budget • Approval of Forestry Grant Application • Barrels from Stout Road Construction Project to be moved off Stout Rd by September 22, 2022 Items for Next Meeting Agenda: • Budget Review – Same with additional CIP for 50% matching Grant support • Continuation of Ash Bench Project discussion • Pruning Report Progress Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 19, 2022 – 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers – 1st Floor. Adjournment: A motion was made by Dennis Kropp to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Cindy Gilberts. Motion passed. Minutes submitted by: Tammy Eckert