Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Monday, July 28, 2025 - 5:30 PM Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Topic: Urban Forestry Commission Time: Jul 28, 2025 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82152804858?pwd=Dv009gV9zzhbMcLx1Y3zETxLfyz4bD.1 Meeting ID: 821 5280 4858 Passcode: 525352 Dial by your location • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number: (262) 473-0108. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Chairperson Alt at 5:30 ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chairperson Nick Alt Board Member Sherry Stanek Board Member Joshua Kapfer Board Member Kerry Katovich Board Member Bill Chandler Board Member Marjorie Stoneman (Online) ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Staff Kevin Boehm Urban Forestry Commission Minutes July 28, 2025 Page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA A committee member can choose to remove an item from the agenda or rearrange its order; however, introducing new items to the agenda is not allowed. Any proposed changes require a motion, a second, and approval from the Committee to be implemented. The agenda shall be approved at each meeting even if no changes are being made at that meeting. Motion made by Board Member Stanek, Seconded by Chairperson Alt to approve agenda with moving items 9, 10, 11 to the top of the agenda. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any committee member requests that an item be removed for individual consideration. None HEARING OF CITIZEN COMMENTS No formal Commission action will be taken during this meeting although issues raised may become a part of a future agenda. Participants are allotted a three minute speaking period. Specific items listed on the agenda may not be discussed at this time; however, citizens are invited to speak to those specific issues at the time the Commission discusses that particular item. To make a comment during this period, or during any agenda item: On a computer or handheld device, locate the controls on your computer to raise your hand. You may need to move your mouse to see these controls. On a traditional telephone, dial *6 to unmute your phone and dial *9 to raise your hand. None CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS 9. Update on Bird City. Chandler Chandler gave a report on the Purple Martin fletching’s. He stated that the Chimney at the Whitewater Middle School has been listed on the DNR’s list of Chimney Swift roosting chimneys. The Chimney Swift event will be called the Swift Night Out: Dive at Dusk and will be held on August 30, 2025 10. Discussion and possible action on hosting a Bird Fair. Chandler Discussion was had, Sherry will check with Hoo’s Woods and Joshua will check with fellow Mortals to see if there is availability for either organization to come do a bird presentation and the costs associated with it. No action taken. 11. Discussion and possible action on doing a bird of the year this year. Discussion was had on combining the bird of the year and the Bird Fair into one event. No action taken. 1. Discussion and possible action on a work day at the Arboretum. (ALT) Urban Forestry Commission Minutes July 28, 2025 Page 3 Alt led discussion on the need of working at the Arboretum, no one was interested in taking this task on and leading the creation of a work day. Motioned by Chairperson Alt and seconded by Board Member Stanek to table this discussion to the August meeting. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 2. Discussion and possible action on a education piece for the Whitewater Banner why the Bradford pear should not be used in plantings and the environmental impact of using them. (ALT) Discussion was had on the environmental impact of Bradford Pears and other pears being invasive and spreading. Motioned by Board Member Joshua to have Joshua contact Wes Everline and see if one of his students or interns could do some research and write an article regarding Bradford Pear trees in our local environment. Seconded by Chairperson Alt. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 3. Discussion and possible action on the use of Tree Sale funds to pay to remove Bradford Pear trees from the city landscape & replace with alternatives. (ALT) Motioned by Board Member Stanek and seconded by Chairperson Alt to table discussion until August’s meeting to allow the city forester to determine what the cost would be to remove and replace a Bradford pear tree. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 4. Discussion and possible action on education session at the Arboretum. Motioned by Board Member Stanke and seconded by Board Member Kapfer to have Chairperson Alt contact Jim Neiss to see if he will develop an education program and table discussion until August’s meeting. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 5. Discussion and possible action on funding ideas for the Arboretum. (ALT) Discussion was had, no action taken. 6. Discussion and possible action on natural playground at Starin Park. (Stanek) Urban Forestry Commission Minutes July 28, 2025 Page 4 Stanek will discuss the possibility of Russ Walton creating something from the tree. Kapfer will look into if the DNR station and Stanek will contact Old World Wisconsin would be interested in the tree. 7. Discussion and possible approval of a 2026 Tree Sale. (ALT) Motioned by Board Member Stanek and seconded by Board Member Kapfer to table discussion until August meeting. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 8. Update on progress identifying all the trees in town. No action taken. 12. Discussion and possible action on outreach to the community to see if there is interest in putting up a Purple Martin House in Skyway Park. (ALT) Chairperson Alt will communicate with neighborhood members to gauge interest and bring back to a future item. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 6:41 A quorum of the Common Council may be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken at this meeting. Anyone requiring special arrangements is asked to call the Office of the City Manager / City Clerk (262-473-0102) at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.