Urban Forestry

Menomonie Urban Forestry Board Minutes Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 1:00pm – Lower-Level Conference Room 58 - City Hall Committee Members Present: Cindy Gilberts (1.0 hr.) Joe Jax (Chair) (3.0 hrs.) Liz Usborne (3.0 hrs) Bob Giede (Absent) Dennis Kropp (1 hr.) Mike Schendel (1.0 hr.) Mike Smith (1.0 hr.) Eric Sutherland (Absent) Monika Herrmann (2.0 hrs) Others present: • Megen Hines, Environmental Program Coordinator • Mike Morrow, Parks & Forestry Foreman The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Joe Jax at 1:04 PM. Minutes: Kropp made a motion to approve the February 2023 Urban Forestry meeting minutes, seconded by Herrmann. Herrmann noted Kevin Dietsche is an Assistant Professor, minutes will be updated. Motion carried. Public Comment: None 2023 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Work Plan: Hines reports that no work has been done on the Grant proposal yet and no work has been completed by the Community Services Building staff working on the gravel bed at this time. We do have the full year 2023 to finish our objectives to meet Grant requirements. Construction of the gravel bed is a high priority this spring. Ordinance Update: Hines reported the City attorney has reviewed the proposed ordinance changes. Their revisions are included in the draft copy provided to the board. Hines discussed the revisions from the attorney and if the group was comfortable with the changes, they could motion to approve the draft be recommended for approval by the City Council. Kropp motioned to recommend the Urban Forestry ordinance to the City Council for approval, seconded by Gilberts. Motion carried. Arbor Day Celebration: Much discussion on Arbor Day Celebration plans. Staff recommended two events on Arbor Day, one with the Wakanda Elementary students and one with the general public. Events are tentatively scheduled for 10 am for the elementary school event and 11 am for the general public events. Trees will be planted at both events. The elementary school event will consist of a brief presentation of the importance of trees, planting a tree, a native seed ball activity and light refreshments. The general public event will include the John Anshus memorial, planting a tree, tree and bird speakers, Friends of the Urban Forestry award and light refreshments. Hines will work on a program for the event and email out to the board. Hines will confirm details with Wakanda Elementary and the Dunn County Historical Society. Staff will work on procuring all necessary materials for the event. Friend of Urban Forestry Award: Discussion of process to award the Friend of Urban Forestry Award and potential nominees. Much discussion. Kropp motions, Gilberts seconded to nominate Andersen Windows. Motion carried. City staff will order the plaque and invite Andersen Windows to the Arbor Day event. Urban Forester Report: Winter Pruning Progress: Morrow reports that a total of over 150 trees have been removed so far this winter. Pruning continues in the Elmwood addition area. City Council Report: Hines reported the City has hired a new City Administrator to replace Lowell Prange who is retiring. Current Chief of Police Eric Atkinson has accepted an offer and will be approved by the City Council at the March 20, 2023 meeting to become the next City Administrator, effective in mid-April. Items for Next Meeting Agenda: • Implementation Plan for enforcing updated UFB ordinance (future meeting, maybe not April) • Arbor Day Celebration • Tree Walk (future meeting, may not April) • Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. in lower level of City Hall – Conference Room 058. Adjournment: A motion was made to adjourn by Schendel, seconded by Herrmann. Meeting adjourned at 2:16 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Megen Hines Recording Secretary