Urban Forestry Tree Board (Meets as needed/quarterly)

URBAN FORESTRY TREE BOARD PROCEEDINGS February 17, 2022 Room 204 | Government Center & Via Zoom Members Present: Ruth Ludwig, Nick Nelson, Robert-Jan Quene, Jane Anklam*, Members Absent: Richard Kaufman, Meghan Gil-de-Lamadrid Also present: Linda Cadotte*, Jodi Saylor, John Kneer* (Rettler Corporation), Andy Tuttle, Shelley Nelson* (Superior Telegram) Chair Ludwig called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. 1. Approve Meeting Minutes from January 20, 2022. MOTION by Quene, second by Nelson and carried to approve the minutes from January 20, 2022 with correction as discussed. 2. Update from Rettler on Superior Municipal Forest Master Plan Andy and Jeff have been working on the Forestry inventory and typography in the Superior Municipal Forest (SMF). They have wrapped up data gathering and rough mapping and have also completed the historical review of the site. They spent a couple of days on snowshoes walking around the SMF, covering as much ground as they could. They have a good handle on the mapping and acreage and are starting to compile that data. They found 8 – 10 diverse communities with Aspen being the biggest ones. The most unique community they found is the boreal conifer – cedar, spruce, and white pine. There was a significant amount of wetland area with trees growing in it. They also discussed the large amount of slopes out there – 800-900 of steep slopes that can’t really be managed. They also noticed the age of all the trees and that we have a really old forest. Due to the amount of deer out there, the SMF is not getting a lot of regrowth. Deer have completely browsed the cedar sapling. There was some discussion about the bio-diversity of the SMF. Rettler will be working with Cadotte and other resources to see what information is already out there from past studies and to see what information needs to be gathered. The next steps over the next few months will be the stakeholder meetings and the public input meetings. John and Andy left the meeting at 4:45 pm. *Attended the meeting virtually Urban Forestry Tree Board February 17, 2022  3. WisDNR State Natural Area Strategy - https://widnr.widen.net/s/28dhpklwcm/nh0401 a. Review pages 23 – 64 Board members discussed the final portion of this document. Nick Nelson noted that Rettler had pointed out the large amount of deer browse out there and the graph in this document showed an explosion of the deer population in our area. That will be an important part of managing the SMF. Discussion ensued on the importance of maintaining a health forest and what that could look like. It will be important to see what invasive species are currently out there and have a plan to address those. Creating a new inventory of what is out there will also help us to see how the SMF has changed since the last inventory was completed. Due to the amount of water resources, it would be good to see if the SMF could qualify as an aquatic state natural area. Anklam appreciated the DNR’s commitment to the concept of preserving nature’s stage versus certain vegetation that is out there. She likes that they are committing to and putting that on top of conservation opportunity area which shows resiliency. Ludwig liked the six guiding principles that they outlined. She appreciated the chance for new education that allows us to change with the SMF and the times. 4. Request approval for Ordinance Change to Allow Permanent Deer Stands and Allow Trail Cameras. This was presented to the WI Point Committee last week and was approved by them. Currently our ordinance reads that they have to be set up and taken down daily during the season. State and County ordinances allow for them to be set up during the hunting season as long as they are properly identified with name, contact info and DNR number. There are designated areas within the City that can be hunted. One of the strategies for the SMF would be to encourage more/better harvesting of deer and this modification of the ordinance will be helpful for that. This new verbiage matches the State and County regulations. Cadotte shared that there is currently nothing specific in the City ordinance right now for cameras, but she receives a lot of calls about it, this adds some language to also allow for trail cameras. MOTION by Quene, second by Nelson and carried to approve the Ordinance Change to Allow Permanent Deer Stands and Allow Trail Cameras. 5. Arbor Day Celebration a. Invasive Species Outreach Cadotte reached out to the State Forester and gave a brief overview of what the tree board is looking at doing with Arbor Day/Invasive Species outreach and he thought it would qualify for our Tree City requirements. She suggested a meeting with a smaller sub-committee to plan this out as our next meeting for the tree board is not scheduled until May, which is after Arbor Day. Board members can also send emails with information and ideas for Arbor Day if they would like. Cadotte will send out a doodle poll and anyone who is interested can let her know. *Attended the meeting virtually Urban Forestry Tree Board February 17, 2022  6. Director’s & Superintendent’s Reports a. Had an initial meeting for the Tree Inventory update with Davey. Their team will be on site and wrap up the inventory in April. b. WI Tree City USA Program – the DNR is currently conduction a tree ordinance audit for all communities. Cadotte reviewed our ordinances and we are looking very good and meet the standards they are reviewing. c. We got confirmation that we did receive our 2021 Tree City status and were encouraged to apply for a growth award in 2022 due to all of the work being done around the SMF. d. Cadotte has a meeting set next week to talk with representatives from the WI DNR about the Urban Forestry Grant. e. The certified arborists from the parks crew will be at the WI Arborist Association meeting next week. f. Trees are on order and should arrive in April. The big planting for this year will be at Barker’s Island for the Sustain Our Great Lakes project. 7. Future Agenda Items a. Update on Davey Tree inventory and assessment b. Arbor Day recap c. Tribute Tree planting schedule/plaques d. Update on SMF Master Plan 8. Confirm next meeting date: May 19, 2022 at 4:30pm Councilor Ludwig announced the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Minutes submitted to the Council Meeting of March 1, 2022. *Attended the meeting virtually Urban Forestry Tree Board February 17, 2022 DIVISION 2. - ARCHERY HUNTING Sec. 86-94. - Archery hunting areas and seasons. (a) The provisions of section 86-74 notwithstanding, archery hunting for deer using a bow and arrow or crossbow is permitted in the City of Superior by anyone holding a valid WDNR-issued license during the state-allowed deer hunting season(s) in the following locations: (1) Allouez Area: a. Section 1: Commencing at the intersection of E 11th St and 31st Ave. E go 981 feet S41°38'39"E to the point of beginning. Then go 666 feet N 48°43'21" E then go 1,481 feet S 39°56'04" E, then go 3,360 feet S 48°52'14" W to Nemadji River. Follow Nemadji River south 660 feet S 1°25'56" E, then 549 feet S 29°08'16" W, then go 1,052 feet S 40°57'56" E, then go 4,817 feet S 47°59'22" W to the Nemadji River. Then follow the river north to a point that is 5,457 feet S 48°43'21" W from the point of beginning. b. Section 2. Commencing at the intersection of Woodlawn Rd. and 42 Ave. E being the point of beginning. Then going 546 feet S 48°31'56" W along 42N Ave. E, then go 1,910 feet N 87°42'54" W to the Nemadji River. Follow the south side of the Nemadji River, north to the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge. Then go southeast along Woodlawn Rd. to point of beginning. c. Section 3. Commencing at the south side of the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge being the point of beginning. Then go 437 feet S 47°03'28" E, then go 880 feet N 47°56'54" E to the Nemadji River. Follow the south side of the river north back to the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge. 437 feet S 47°03'28" E along Woodlawn Rd. then go 880 feet N 47°56'54" E to the Nemadji River follow the south side of the Nemadji River north to the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge. (2) Hog Island: Area in its entirety. (3) Itasca Area: Commencing at the intersection of County Hwy. E and City Limits Road go about 2,516.36 feet N 89°25'58" W, then go 1,300.30 feet N 1°13'33" E to point of beginning. Then go 6,107 feet S 89°35'30" E, then go 6,198 feet S 49°40'30" W then go 2,102 feet N 1°19'49" W then go 1,338 feet N 51°11'14" W, then go 1,199 feet N 15°44'22" W to point of beginning. (4) The Municipal Forest Area: Starting at Hwy. 105, one-quarter mile west of Elmira Ave., thence north along Elmira Ave. to one-quarter mile south of N 28th St., thence west along N 28th St. to Billings Dr., thence south along Billings Dr. to Kimball's Bay, thence along the shore lines of Dwight's Point, Chases Point, and the St. Louis River to the west city limits, thence south along the city limits to a point that is one-quarter mile north of Hwy. 105 thence east parallel with Hwy. 105 to the point of beginning. (5) Wisconsin Point Area: Starting at the southeast city limits corner north to the shoreline of Lake Superior, thence west along the shoreline to the base of Wisconsin Point, thence west across Wisconsin Point along the Allouez Bay shoreline to one-half mile from Hwy. 2-53, thence south along Hwy. 2-53 to the city limits and thence east along the city limits to the point of beginning. Excluding a one-quarter mile boundary around the city landfill property. (6) Parkland Annex Area: Section 1 (The entire area known as the Parkland Annex, south of City Limits Road and north of County Road Z). Commencing at the northwest corner of said section 9; thence S 00°32'25" W along the west line of said section 9 for a distance of 2,617.88 feet to the west quarter corner of said section 9; thence S 00°37'35" W, continuing along the west line of said section 9, for a distance of 2,575.39 feet to a point on the north right-of-way line of County Trunk Highway Z; thence N 89°57'18" E for a distance of 2,673.29 feet along the north right-of-way line of County Trunk Highway Z to a point at the intersection of the east line of the SW one-quarter of said section 9 and the north right-of-way line of Country Trunk Highway Z; thence N 89°57'28" E for a distance of 922.52 feet to a point at the intersection of the north right-of-way line of County Trunk Highway Z and the westerly right-of-way line of Grand Avenue; thence N 41°10'32" W for a distance of 2,246.89 feet along the westerly right-of-way line of Grand Avenue to a point; thence N 47°06'41" E for a distance of 40.02 feet to a point on the  centerline of Grand Avenue; thence N 41°10'32" W along the centerline of Grand Avenue for a distance of 1,717.56 feet to a point at the intersection of the centerline of the interstate transfer railroad (Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway) right-of-way and the centerline of Grand Avenue; thence N 00°32'25" E for a distance of 2,187.36 feet to the north section line of section 9 (centerline of City Limits Road); thence S 89°30'57" W for a distance of 982.86 feet along the north section line of section 9 to the point of beginning. (8) Murphy Oil Hunting Site #5. East of Hill Avenue. These survey courses are mathematically derived from an existing GIS feature not from a field survey. commencing from the intersection of Kirk Rolson St. and Hill Ave. go south about 150 feet and east about 300 feet to p.o.b.; then go N 01-08-45 E 1,334.97 feet; then N 49-07-01 E 1,031.72 feet; then N 41-46-47 W 609.837 feet; then S 88-24-32 E 961.354 feet; then S 40-40-24 E 3,973.84 feet; then S 49-28-29 W 1,339.81 feet; then N 41-30-52 W 3,012.47 feet; then S 49-09-37 W 1,237.49 feet to p.o.b. Fence is patrolled, stay 150 yards away. (9) Murphy Oil Hunting Site #6. West of Hill Avenue. These survey courses are mathematically derived from an existing GIS feature and are not from a field survey. Commencing from the intersection of Kirk Rolson St. and Hill Ave. go south about 300 feet and west about 300 feet to p.o.b.; then go S 00-30-07 E 2,246.47 feet; then N 40-50-49 W 1,395.81 feet; then N 00-04-08 W 1,199.33 feet; then S 89-26-08 E 894.72 feet to the p.o.b. (10) Enbridge Inc. Hunting. These survey courses are mathematically derived from an existing GIS feature not from a field survey. Commencing at the NW corner intersection of Hill Ave. and Stinson Ave. going N 48°38'01" E 800 feet; N 00°25'24" E 2,028 feet; N 41°06'39" W 886 feet; S 48°44'32" W 889 feet; S 00°43'10" W 2,081 feet; S 1°03'42" E 650 feet; N 48°38'19" E 128 feet; S 41°14'57" E 203 feet; to point of beginning. (11) Clough Island. Area in its entirety. (b) The above provisions notwithstanding, it shall be illegal to hunt anywhere within 100 yards from any house, building, railroad track, airplane runway or taxiway, road, trail or public street. This section shall not be interpreted as permitting hunting on property other than that as noted above without the owner's prior consent. (c) The restriction does not apply if the person who owns the land on which the building is located allows the hunter to hunt within the specified distance of the building. (d) A person who hunts with a bow and arrow or crossbow must discharge the arrow or bolt from the respective weapon toward the ground. (Code 1971, § 23-53; Ord. No. O04-3493, § 1, 8-3-2004; Ord. No. O05-3509, § 1, 3-1-2005; Ord. No. O09-3680, § 1, 1-6-2009; Ord. No. O13-3826, § 1, 3-5-2013; Ord. No. O14-3869, § 1, 3-4-2014; Ord. No. O14-3874, § 1, 4-15-2014) Sec. 86-95. - Permits required. No person shall archery hunt for deer within the city without carrying on his or her person a current permit issued by the city. No permit shall be issued to any person convicted of a violation of section 86-74 of the Code, or any laws of the state governing hunting. The permit shall expire at the end of each calendar year or at such other time as determined by the parks and recreation department. (Code 1971, § 23-54) Sec. 86-96. - Tree stands. No person may construct, occupy or use any elevated scaffold or other elevated device for hunting except portable tree stands may be used where hunting is otherwise permitted by this division, provided they are completely removed each day at the close of hunting hours. Such removal is exempt for active members of the Wisconsin Whitetail Bowhunters Association during approved deer reduction (abatement) efforts in designated deer reduction areas. No person may cause damage to trees by the placement or erection of such portable tree stands for hunting by any other manner while hunting from a tree or preparing to hunt from a tree. (Code 1971, § 23-54; Ord. No. O07-3615, § 1-16-2007) Secs. 86-97—86-120. - Reserved.  PART II ‐ CODE OF ORDINANCES Chapter 86 ‐ OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS ARTICLE III. ‐ WEAPONS DIVISION 2. ARCHERY HUNTING DIVISION 2. ARCHERY HUNTING Sec. 86‐94. Archery hunting areas and seasons. (a) The provisions of section 86‐74 notwithstanding, archery hunting for deer using a bow and arrow or crossbow is permitted in the City of Superior by anyone holding a valid WDNR‐issued license during the state‐allowed deer hunting season(s) in the following locations: (1) Allouez Area: a. Section 1: Commencing at the intersection of E 11th St and 31st Ave. E go 981 feet S41°38'39"E to the point of beginning. Then go 666 feet N 48°43'21" E then go 1,481 feet S 39°56'04" E, then go 3,360 feet S 48°52'14" W to Nemadji River. Follow Nemadji River south 660 feet S 1°25'56" E, then 549 feet S 29°08'16" W, then go 1,052 feet S 40°57'56" E, then go 4,817 feet S 47°59'22" W to the Nemadji River. Then follow the river north to a point that is 5,457 feet S 48°43'21" W from the point of beginning. b. Section 2. Commencing at the intersection of Woodlawn Rd. and 42 Ave. E being the point of beginning. Then going 546 feet S 48°31'56" W along 42N Ave. E, then go 1,910 feet N 87°42'54" W to the Nemadji River. Follow the south side of the Nemadji River, north to the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge. Then go southeast along Woodlawn Rd. to point of beginning. c. Section 3. Commencing at the south side of the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge being the point of beginning. Then go 437 feet S 47°03'28" E, then go 880 feet N 47°56'54" E to the Nemadji River. Follow the south side of the river north back to the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge. 437 feet S 47°03'28" E along Woodlawn Rd. then go 880 feet N 47°56'54" E to the Nemadji River follow the south side of the Nemadji River north to the Woodlawn Rd. Bridge. (2) Hog Island: Area in its entirety. (3) Itasca Area: Commencing at the intersection of County Hwy. E and City Limits Road go about 2,516.36 feet N 89°25'58" W, then go 1,300.30 feet N 1°13'33" E to point of beginning. Then go 6,107 feet S 89°35'30" E, then go 6,198 feet S 49°40'30" W then go 2,102 feet N 1°19'49" W then go 1,338 feet N 51°11'14" W, then go 1,199 feet N 15°44'22" W to point of beginning. (4) The Municipal Forest Area: Starting at Hwy. 105, one‐quarter mile west of Elmira Ave., thence north along Elmira Ave. to one‐quarter mile south of N 28th St., thence west along N 28th St. to Billings Dr., thence south along Billings Dr. to Kimball's Bay, thence along the shore lines of Dwight's Point, Chases Point, and the St. Louis River to the west city limits, thence south along the city limits to a point that is one‐quarter mile north of Hwy. 105 thence east parallel with Hwy. 105 to the point of beginning. (5) Wisconsin Point Area: Starting at the southeast city limits corner north to the shoreline of Lake Superior, thence west along the shoreline to the base of Wisconsin Point, thence west across Wisconsin Point along the Allouez Bay shoreline to one‐half mile from Hwy. 2‐53, thence south along Hwy. 2‐53 to the city limits and thence east along the city limits to the point of beginning. Excluding a one‐quarter mile boundary around the city landfill property. (6) Parkland Annex Area:Section 1 (The entire area known as the Parkland Annex, south of City Limits Road and north of County Road Z). Commencing at the northwest corner of said section 9; thence S 00°32'25" W along the west line of said section 9 for a distance of 2,617.88 feet to the west quarter Superior, Wisconsin, Code of Ordinances Created: 2021‐12‐20 11:25:03 [EST] (Supp. No. 29) Page 1 of 4  corner of said section 9; thence S 00°37'35" W, continuing along the west line of said section 9, for a distance of 2,575.39 feet to a point on the north right‐of‐way line of County Trunk Highway Z; thence N 89°57'18" E for a distance of 2,673.29 feet along the north right‐of‐way line of County Trunk Highway Z to a point at the intersection of the east line of the SW one‐quarter of said section 9 and the north right‐of‐way line of Country Trunk Highway Z; thence N 89°57'28" E for a distance of 922.52 feet to a point at the intersection of the north right‐of‐way line of County Trunk Highway Z and the westerly right‐of‐way line of Grand Avenue; thence N 41°10'32" W for a distance of 2,246.89 feet along the westerly right‐of‐way line of Grand Avenue to a point; thence N 47°06'41" E for a distance of 40.02 feet to a point on the centerline of Grand Avenue; thence N 41°10'32" W along the centerline of Grand Avenue for a distance of 1,717.56 feet to a point at the intersection of the centerline of the interstate transfer railroad (Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway) right‐of‐way and the centerline of Grand Avenue; thence N 00°32'25" E for a distance of 2,187.36 feet to the north section line of section 9 (centerline of City Limits Road); thence S 89°30'57" W for a distance of 982.86 feet along the north section line of section 9 to the point of beginning. (7) Reserved. (8) Murphy Oil Hunting Site #5. East of Hill Avenue. These survey courses are mathematically derived from an existing GIS feature not from a field survey. commencing from the intersection of Kirk Rolson St. and Hill Ave. go south about 150 feet and east about 300 feet to p.o.b.; then go N 01‐08‐45 E 1,334.97 feet; then N 49‐07‐01 E 1,031.72 feet; then N 41‐46‐47 W 609.837 feet; then S 88‐24‐32 E 961.354 feet; then S 40‐40‐24 E 3,973.84 feet; then S 49‐28‐29 W 1,339.81 feet; then N 41‐30‐52 W 3,012.47 feet; then S 49‐09‐37 W 1,237.49 feet to p.o.b. Fence is patrolled, stay 150 yards away. (9) Murphy Oil Hunting Site #6. West of Hill Avenue. These survey courses are mathematically derived from an existing GIS feature and are not from a field survey. Commencing from the intersection of Kirk Rolson St. and Hill Ave. go south about 300 feet and west about 300 feet to p.o.b.; then go S 00‐30‐07 E 2,246.47 feet; then N 40‐50‐49 W 1,395.81 feet; then N 00‐04‐08 W 1,199.33 feet; then S 89‐26‐08 E 894.72 feet to the p.o.b. (10) Enbridge Inc. Hunting. These survey courses are mathematically derived from an existing GIS feature not from a field survey. Commencing at the NW corner intersection of Hill Ave. and Stinson Ave. going N 48°38'01" E 800 feet; N 00°25'24" E 2,028 feet; N 41°06'39" W 886 feet; S 48°44'32" W 889 feet; S 00°43'10" W 2,081 feet; S 1°03'42" E 650 feet; N 48°38'19" E 128 feet; S 41°14'57" E 203 feet; to point of beginning. (11) Clough Island. Area in its entirety. (b) The above provisions notwithstanding, it shall be illegal to hunt anywhere within 100 yards from any house, building, railroad track, airplane runway or taxiway, road, trail, or public street. This section shall not be interpreted as permitting hunting on property other than that as noted above without the owner's prior consent. (c) The restriction does not apply if the person who owns the land on which the building is located allows the hunter to hunt within the specified distance of the building. (d) A person who hunts with a bow and arrow or crossbow must discharge the arrow or bolt from the respective weapon toward the ground. (Code 1971, § 23‐53; Ord. No. O04‐3493, § 1, 8‐3‐2004; Ord. No. O05‐3509, § 1, 3‐1‐2005; Ord. No. O09‐3680, § 1, 1‐6‐2009; Ord. No. O13‐3826, § 1, 3‐5‐2013; Ord. No. O14‐3869, § 1, 3‐4‐2014; Ord. No. O14‐3874, § 1, 4‐15‐2014; Ord. No. O19‐4165, § 1, 9‐3‐2019) Created: 2021‐12‐20 11:25:03 [EST] (Supp. No. 29) Page 2 of 4 Sec. 86‐95. Permits required. No person shall archery hunt for deer within the city without carrying on his or her person a current permit issued by the city. No permit shall be issued to any person convicted of a violation of section 86‐74 of the Code, or any laws of the state governing hunting. The permit shall expire at the end of each calendar year or at such other time as determined by the parks and recreation department. (Code 1971, § 23‐54) Sec. 86‐96. Tree stands. No person may construct, occupy or use any elevated scaffold or other elevated device for hunting except portable tree stands may be used where hunting is otherwise permitted by this division, provided they are completely removed each day at the close of hunting hours. Such removal is exempt for active members of the Wisconsin Whitetail Bowhunters Association during approved deer reduction (abatement) efforts in designated deer reduction areas. No person may cause damage to trees by the placement or erection of such portable tree stands for hunting by any other manner while hunting from a tree or preparing to hunt from a tree. No person or persons shall construct, place, occupy or use the following on lands owned or managed by the City of Superior: (a.) A ground blind during any open deer season or special deer hunt with firearms unless a minimum of 144 square inches of solid blaze orange or fluorescent pink material is visible from all directions (b.) A tree stand that is not a hang‐on style, self‐climbing style, or a ladder stand style, or which attaches to a tree by any means or device, which penetrates the bark or the bole of the tree. (c.) Climbing aids; including, but not limited to, screw in tree steps, landscape spikes, nails, railroad spikes, or bolts. (d.) Leave a tree stand, elevated platform or ground blind that does not have the owner’s name and address (city and State) or WDNR customer I.D. number attached in such a manner as to be visible and legible to a person on the ground or near the entrance of the ground blind. (e.) A tree stand which utilizes artificial shooting lanes created by cutting, brushing, trimming, or otherwise damaging or altering trees, brush, vegetation or terrain. (f.) A tree stand which is larger than 52 inches by 36 inches measured at the base, ground blind which measures larger than 7ft X 7ft X 7ft, or elevated platform which the platform measures more than 7ft X 7ft X 7ft. (g.) A tree stand, elevated platform or ground blind in the period of February 1 to March 31 and June 1 to August 31 of each calendar year. Any tree stand, free standing platform or ground blind which is found in violation of this Ordinance shall be confiscated and disposed of at the user’s expense by the City of Superior Park Recreation & Forestry Department personnel or the County Sheriff’s Department, or their designees. (Code 1971, § 23‐54; Ord. No. O07‐3615, § 1‐16‐2007) Created: 2021‐12‐20 11:25:03 [EST] (Supp. No. 29) Page 3 of 4 Secs. 86‐97—86‐120. Reserved. Trail Cameras The placement and unattended, overnight use of trail cameras is authorized on City of Superior lands only under the following conditions: (a.) Placement occurs in areas where hunting is allowed. (b.)T rail cameras bear the name and address or DNR customer ID number of the owner or operator permanently attached or engraved to the outside of the camera so that it is clearly visible without the need to move or adjust the camera. (c.) The camera does not cause damage to natural vegetation or other City property. The placement of trail cameras on City‐managed lands is done at your own risk. The City will not be responsible for theft or damage of trail cameras on City‐managed lands. Created: 2021‐12‐20 11:25:03 [EST] (Supp. No. 29) Page 4 of 4