Urban Forestry Commission Meeting

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str, Whitewater, WI, 53190 *In Person and Virtual Monday, February 02, 2026 - 5:30 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT Board Member Sherry Stanek Board Member Marjorie Stoneman Chairperson Nicholas Alt Board Member Kerry Katovich Board Member Bill Chandler ABSENT Board Member Joshua Kapfer STAFF Andrew Beckman, Arborist Llana Dostie Brad Marquardt, Director of Public Works 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 Board Member Stoneman. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler CONSENT AGENDA Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any committee member requests that an item be removed for individual consideration. 1. Urban Forestry Commission meeting minutes from September 29, 2025. Motion made by Board Member Stanek, Seconded by Board Member Chandler. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler CONSIDERATIONS / DISCUSSIONS / REPORTS Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes February 02, 2026 Page 2 2. Discussion on tree health concerns along Jefferson Street and justification for planned removals. Andrew Beckman, Arborist stated that most of the trees will be removed. There will 7 trees that will be spaded and moved to the dog park. Most are Norway maples. There is rot in a lot of the trees. Nick asked if the street is getting higher? Beckman confirmed that. Nick stated that most of the trees are not native. Beckman is going to plant what belongs there. Nick asked about if Beckman had a chance to put the electric underground? Beckman stated that it would costly. Margie asked if the city would be providing a letter to the owners that that the trees are coming down. Marquardt stated that information was included in the informational letter and will be included in the letter closer to the start of the project. 3. Discussion and possible action on Whitewater Unified School District landscape plan for the Whitewater High School improvement project. Stanek stated that none of the plantings are native plants. Boxwood is temperamental in our environment. Beckman stated he thinks they are trying to not get a bunch of seeds cooking in the location which is why they are going with the espresso coffee trees. There are a lot of batches of all the same stuff. Beckman stated that the board members need to get him their suggestions by end of day of Thursday. Motion that we approve the landscape plan for the high school with alterations and recommendations made by UFS members to the City Forester Motion made by Board Member Stanek, Seconded by Board Member Stoneman. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler 4. Discussion and possible action on Whitewater Unified School District landscape plan for the Whitewater Middle School improvement project. Alt stated there are only three plant selections. Stanek stated that there are a lot of them. Dostie provided a background, that we requested that they provide a plant buffer between the bus exit and the house on W. Highland. Beckman stated that Colorado spruce should include northern white. A narrow type of tree. Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes February 02, 2026 Page 3 Stanek stated she would like a buffer by the drive for the house on S. Elizabeth. Motion that we approve the middle school landscape plan with the conditions that the school district create a suitable buffer that the City Forester can approve at both ends of the bus lane so on S. Elizabeth Street and on W. Highland with recommended native trees from UFC and City Forester. Motion made by Board Member Stanek, Seconded by Board Member Stoneman. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler 5. Discussion and possible action on an education piece for the Whitewater Banner why the Bradford Pear tree should not be used in plantings and the environmental impact of planting them. Kerry stated he thought that Josh had arranged for an environmental studies student. Nick asked if we needed the author's permission? Stanek stated we should ask the student if they want credit. Motion to have Sherry submit to the Banner once we have found out if the student wants credit along with photo. Motion made by Board Member Stoneman, Seconded by Chairperson Alt. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler 6. Discussion and possible action on an education session at the Arboretum in 2026. Stanek stated that she has talked to Jim Neis he is willing to do it again as long we work with him. He doesn't want to do it alone. Alt asked if there was a date in mind? Stanek confirmed that there is not date in mind. Alt wanted confirmation about no date currently. Stanek stated that there is so much going on during the tree sale we would likely want to do that later. Stoneman asked when the tree sale is. Stanek confirmed end of April. 7. Discussion on Whitewater Community Foundation grant award and potential signage to purchase with the funds. Stanek stated the foundation awarded us $1,000. Jay has contacted a number of times since Sherry and jay were unable meet he was are are going to mail the check. Sherry will check with Kevin when he gets back about the check. Beckman stated the sign is put into concrete and placed in at ground level. Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes February 02, 2026 Page 4 Stoneman asked who would be deciding about what is on the sign. Stanek stated that there would be a sub committee. Stoneman asked if we can get a pictures once the signs get put in. Motion to do the photo op after the signs up with community foundation. Motion made by Board Member Stoneman, Seconded by Board Member Chandler. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler 8. Discussion on what to do with the wood from the Territorial Oak. Stanek stated that the wood is aging. It is has been cut and clamped and drying. Alt asked if Russ was going to the library bench? Stanek stated we already voted on it. Stoneman asked who is paying for this. Stanek stated that there has not been any payment demands given. Russ wants to have lasting pieces. Alt asked is it on here because we need to figure out what to do with the tree that wasn't taken by Russ. Dostie explained that was her understanding. Beckman stated he thought Russ was taking it all. But it is still there. Stanek stated she will ask Russ will take it all and found out from Andy what is left. 9. Discussion and possible action on a spring clean up day at the Arboretum. Alt stated that today is last day on Urban Forestry. Not doing justice to the spot. Will be sending out email. Can still help with the tree sale but that will be his last commitment. Stanek stated she will appreciate it if he will do the sale in conjunction with Urban Forestry. If there is not other action than his suggestion this item can be removed. No action taken 10. Discussion and possible action on installation of Monarch Waystation sign at Clay Street Nature Park. Stanek stated that Richard Anberg has been taking care of the beds. The city had to do some work there this summer. Thinks that it would be helpful so that people know what the bed is there. The sign from Monarch watch is $25.00 Beckman stated that yes it can go in the bed. Stanek stated only a sign where the milkweed is going. Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes February 02, 2026 Page 5 Alt asked if Stanek if this is on here because we need to spend money. Motion to spend $25.00 to order a monarch way station sign for Clay Street Nature Park. Motion made by Board Member Stanek, Seconded by Board Member Chandler. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler BIRD CITY Chandler provide his notes for Bird City to be added to the minutes. Stanek stated that Bird City renewal for March 15, 2026. 11. Discussion and possible action on contracting Fellow Mortals to conduct an educational program at the 2026 Swift Night Out for $100.00. Motion to mail $100.00 to Fellow Mortals to make a presentation at Swift night out, August 29. Motion made by Board Member Chandler, Seconded by Board Member Stanek. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler 12. Discussion on Bird of the Year Contest. Stanek stated defer this to next meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Signage for Arboritum Territorial Oak for wood not taken by Russell New Chairperson Yard of Year (native slate) with a monetary prize Bird of the Year Contest ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Motion made by Board Member Katovich, Seconded by Board Member Chandler. Voting Yea: Board Member Stanek, Board Member Stoneman, Chairperson Alt, Board Member Katovich, Board Member Chandler 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. Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes February 02, 2026 Page 6 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.