Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee

Board Meeting Minutes

February 10, 2003, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

MPRB/Foresty, 3800 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN

 

Attendees:     Lorrie Stromme, Rich Hauer, Robert Slater, Jim Hermann, Ken Holman, Mike Max, Fletcher Johnson.  Ralph Sievert sat in for part of the meeting.

Call to Order.  The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by President Lorrie Stromme, on February 10 2003, at the MPRB Foresty office in Minneapolis, MN.


Approval of Minutes. The Minutes of the 1-06-03 Board meeting were reviewed and approved as amended.  Motion/Second/Carried: Michael Max/Jim Hermann.  The amendments entailed clarification of MnSTAC priorities, i.e., 1) that advocacy for existing funding and staffing levels for U&CF programs would include a grass-roots, volunteer effort; and 2) that MnSTAC’s outreach involves expanding our network of related organizations, including the Met Council, the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, etc.


Announcements:
Rich Hauer announced that he accepted a position as urban forestry instructor at the University of Wisconsin in Stevens Point.  His new position starts in August 2003. 

 

Board members asked Rich about the status of the Certified Tree Inspector Program (CTI) that Rich currently oversees. The recertification of CTI’s will be probably be handled by the University of Minnesota and the training sessions at the annual Shade Tree Short Course.  The certification process may be problematic, given the current bleak state budget forecasts. The group hoped that the MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) would continue to oversee certification and issuing licenses.  The annual cost of the program is $75,000. There are 944 CTI’s in 200 municipalities. Currently, MDA allows a ¼ -time position for urban & community forestry programs. (The group noted that there has been a noticeable decline at MDA, DNR, U of MN, and MnDOT in the number of full-time employees assigned to urban forestry issues.)  Lorrie Stromme offered to contact Geir Friisoe at MDA about the proposed changes to the Plant Protection statutes. 

Rich reported that MnSTAC’s Forest Health Committee met on February 6th. Oak wilt suppression funds are not sufficient.  MnReleaf has $170,000 allotted for oak wilt management.

Bob Slater clarified that the November MnSTAC meeting is on Monday, November 10th, instead of November 11th (Veterans’ Day). 

The search for a new Chair of MnSTAC’s Planning Committee continues.  Glen Shirley said that he would consider taking on that role after his retirement in late February.  Ken Holman suggested that MnSTAC hire Kim Sullivan as a consultant to facilitate the process to update MnSTAC’s Strategic Plan.

Lorrie said that the MnSTAC Awards program would be scaled back this year, because of budgetary concerns. The Awards Committee is looking for no-charge venues to hold that reception. The proposed date for the Awards program is April 10. Lorrie reminded folks that Feb. 21st was the deadline for submitting nominations for next year’s awards. 

 

Lorrie announced that the Awards Committee is working on a new brochure for MnSTAC.  Lara Newberger, Chair, suggested that the brochure might be in “bookmark” form, with MnSTAC’s mission, web site, etc.

 

Old Business:
Legislative Report.  The Legislative Committee met to review a draft of the Legislative Report.  There is no clear consensus about the format.  Chairperson Mark Schnobrich wants to keep our message straightforward and simple. Janette Monear and Peggy Booth also had some ideas and will meet with Lorrie on Feb. 17th. 

Membership and Advocate Newsletter Lists. Lorrie said that the Winter 2003 edition of The Shade Tree Advocate newsletter was poised to be mailed out soon.  She emailed Dave Garland about updating the mailing list, since there have been many changes of address and new members since the last Advocate was mailed out. No reply.  Michael Max has the most current lists of members and community contacts.  Ken Holman and Michael Max agreed to contact Gary Johnson about updating the newsletter database. 

New Business

“Tree Rings”.  In light of MnSTAC’s 30th Anniversary in 2004, Michael Max thought that people who have been instrumental in the advancement of MnSTAC and its mission should be acknowledged.  He proposed a special award, called “tree rings” or “growth rings.”  In 2004, we could acknowledge 30 people with growth awards (perhaps cross-sections of a tree).  We came up with a list of 15 people in 30 seconds of brainstorming.  Lorrie will pass along this idea t the Awards Committee.

 

Tree Inventories. Michael Max, Jim Hermann, and Ralph Sievert updated the group about the pen-based system that the Mpls Park & Recreation Board is using to do a tree census/inventory of public trees in Minneapolis. This data will provide a “tree layer” for the city’s GIS system. 

 

Honorary Tree-Plantings. Rich Hauer suggested that if MnSTAC has a meeting at Carleton College this year, we might plant a memorial tree for Paul Wellstone.  Rich also suggested that an honorary tree be planted for Mike Zins at the U of MN St.Paul campus.  Getting administrative approvals from the colleges are potential drawbacks.

 

Adjournment.  Motion/Second/Carried:  Rich Hauer/Michael Max.  Approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.