Urban Forestry

Menomonie Urban Forestry Board Minutes Wednesday, October 18, 2023 – 1:00pm – Lower-Level Conference Room 58 - City Hall Committee Members Present: Cindy Gilberts (Absent) Joe Jax (Chair) (2.5 hrs.) Liz Usborne (2.0 hrs.) Bob Giede (2.0 hrs) Dennis Kropp (Absent) Mike Schendel (2.0 hr.) Mike Smith (1.0 hr.) Eric Sutherland (1.5 hrs.) Monika Herrmann (2.0 hrs.) Others present: Mike Morrow, Urban Forester, Parks Foreman; Megen Hines, Environmental Program Director; 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. September minutes were sent to the committee prior to the meeting and reviewed. Bob Giede made a motion to accept those minutes and Monika Herrmann seconded. Motion passed. Public Comment: none 2023 DNR Urban Forestry Grant: For the education portion of the Grant, social media posts were sent to Abbey at the DNR to review. Fencing around the gravel bed in Wakanda is complete and the last part of the grant is to choose locations and get trees planted. Menomonie Forestry Friends: Megen Hines reports that the cost for the city to maintain this program, particularly the administrative fees, are significant. As an alternative, an email to the Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization to possibly manage this program. Depending on the outcome, their response may help the board decide whether to re- open this program or not. At the time of this meeting, the C.F. had not responded yet. This item will carry over to the next meeting. Adopt a Bench and Maintenance Guidelines: Megen Hines completed a draft for a News Release for the Urban Forestry Board announcing that it would be looking for individuals, families, community groups or organizations willing to adopt one or more ash tree benches in the city. In it, it states one can obtain more information about adopting a bench and regarding the general program requirement’s along with its’ maintenance and care. You can contact Megen Hines for the guidelines to the program at mhines@menomonie-wi.gov or 715-232-2221 extension # 1005. Forester Report: -Mike Morrow states that his crew contacted Digger’s Hotline and set up a meeting for Monday, October 23, 2023 for local utilities to meet and discuss areas needing locates so they can begin to plant trees within the city. -This week the city crew rented a stump grinder and ground out 150 stumps in 3 days! Another crew worked behind them to lay down black dirt and seed the area. -The fence is up at Wakanda Park that surrounds the city trees that are waiting to be planted. City Council Report: Eric Sutherland reports that the council continue to work on budgeting for 2024. There was discussion regarding the progress and possible approval of a new financial system for 2024 for the city of Menomonie. Eric continues to advocate for the Urban Forestry Board at City Council regarding its funding, relaying it’s importance to the council of its efforts in keeping our city well maintained with healthy trees and landscaping. Items for Next Meeting Agenda: Discuss the potential/practicality of Adopt-A-Tree program, the Community Foundation’s Response to managing the Menomonie Forestry & Friends program – Please see attached Parking Lot list for more agenda items. Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. in lower level of City Hall – Conference Room 058. Adjournment: A motion was made by Mike Schendel and seconded by Liz Usborne to adjourn. Motion passed. Minutes submitted by: Tammy Eckert