Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Monday, August 25, 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. Please click the link below to join the webinar: 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. 1. Topic: Urban Forestry Commission Time: Aug 25, 2025 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88529480331?pwd=O8ujJsf9tOZN1D7fN1iypKnAZjOmXS.1 Meeting ID: 885 2948 0331 Passcode: 648772 --- One tap mobile +13126266799,,88529480331#,,,,*648772# US (Chicago) 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 Urban Forestry Commission Minutes August 25, 2025 Page 2 OTHERS PRESENT: City Staff Kevin Boehm APPROVAL OF AGENDA A commission 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 Commission 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 Kapfer, Seconded by Board member Chandler to approve 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. 2. Urban Forestry Commission meeting minutes from July 28, 2025 Motion made by Board Member Kapfer, Seconded by Board member Stanek to approve minutes as presented. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 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 STAFF REPORT City Forester Andrew Beckman gave a report stating staff have been responding to work orders as they come in with tree pruning, hazard tree removal, new tree watering and stump grinding. 5 trees were lost from this years spring plantings, 3 were warrantied by the nursery. Urban Forestry Commission Minutes August 25, 2025 Page 3 CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS 3. Discussion and possible action on a work day at the Arboretum. It was discussed and determined that there would be a work day scheduled for the community on September 27, 2025 from 10-12noon, meet at the Generac shelter. 4. Discussion and possible action on an education piece for the Whitewater Banner why the Bradford pear should not be used in plantings and the environmental impact of planting them. Kapfer will work with a graduate student to create an article to publish an article and will get a timeline to the student. 5. 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. City Forester provided a cost estimate of $3,295 to remove a tree due to the hazards associated with power lines and street locations. It was decided that this would not be in the best interest of the groups funds. 6. Discussion and possible action on education session at the Arboretum. Chairperson Alt will communicate with Jim Neiss to provide an education discussion and return at the next meeting with potential topics and Jim’s availability. 7. Discussion and possible action on funding ideas for the Arboretum. Chairperson Alt suggested contacting Walmart, Generac and Kwik Trip for donations to the Arboretum. Staff member Boehm suggested coming up with a plan to determine the needs of the Arboretum before asking for funding. Stanek will look at organizations that may contribute and any associated deadlines for pathways, educational signage and tree identification tags. 8. Discussion and possible action on what to do with wood from Territorial Oak. Chairperson Alt made a motion to have Board Member Stanek to work with Russell Walton and come up with a plan to move forward with doing something with the wood from the Territorial Oak. Seconded by Board Member Stoneman. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. 9. Discussion regarding having controlled burns in city parks. Boehm will work with the fire department to perform controlled burns at both his and their discretion when there is enough fuel to perform a quality burn. TREE CITY 10. Discussion and possible action on holding a tree sale in 2026. Board member Stanek made a motion to hold a tree sale in 2026 on Arbor Day and that weekend. Seconded by Chairperson Alt. Urban Forestry Commission Minutes August 25, 2025 Page 4 Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Stoneman, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stanek, Chairperson Alt. Discussion was had on the number of trees to purchase for the tree sale in 2026. Chairperson Alt made a motion to purchase 500 trees for the 2026 Tree Sale. There was no second so motion failed. Board member Stanek made a motion to purchase the same number of trees as were purchased in 2025. Seconded by Board member Chandler. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Chandler, Board Member Stoneman. Voting Nay:, Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Chairperson Alt. Motion failed due to tie vote. Motioned by Katovich to purchase 400 trees at the 2026 tree sale. Seconded by Chairperson Alt. Voting Yea: Board Member Kapfer, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler, Chairperson Alt. Voting Nay: Board Member Stanek and Board Member Stoneman, Motion passed. 11. Update on progress identifying all the trees in town. City Forester Beckman and staff member Boehm have indicated that funds have been requested in the 2026-2027 City budget to contract to have all city street trees GIS located and identified. If those funds are approved, the city will apply for Wisconsin DNR grants to cost share that project. BIRD CITY 12. Update on Bird City. Board Member Chandler gave a report covering Chimney Swifts and the Swift Night Out covering #12, 13, 14. He gave details for the upcoming event, including the School District is assisting with the coordination of the event including promoting the event to students. He also gave a report on the Purple Martin’s and Martin houses in the community and stated there is still room for additional birds to nest in all houses. Chandler and Boehm will work together to update the city and parks department websites. 13. Discussion and possible action on hosting a Bird Fair. 14. Discussion on Swift Night Out: Dive at Dusk on August 30, 2025. 15. 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. Discussion was had and Board member Chandler stated there is room for additional birds in all city owned houses and should be good for the next several years. Chairperson Alt Urban Forestry Commission Minutes August 25, 2025 Page 5 will reach out to residents to see if they want to support an additional birdhouse in the Skyway Park when he has time. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT 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.