Attendees: Jim
Hermann, Ken Holman, Michael Max, Rich Hauer, Kathy Widin, Lorrie Stromme, Fletcher
Johnson
Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at
Announcements:
Ken Holman announced that he would be attending the Midwest Urban Forestry
Coordination Meeting,
Jim Hermann said that Maureen Durand will be lobbying for MRPB to inform and persuade elected
officials about the merits of parks and recreation and to minimize LGA cuts in
the 2003/2004 budget.
Jim Hermann also shared a recent Star
Tribune article about a champion elm tree on a farm in Le Sueur
County. The tree is 180 inches in
circumference and about 87 feet tall. He
also shared the sad news about the recent death of Ole Olson, a former Park
Board commissioner and a long-time tree advocate.
New Business:
MnSTAC Priorities for 2003: 1) advocate (via volunteers and grass-roots efforts) to maintain the existing funding and staffing levels for U&CF programs (LCMR, state agencies); 2) emphasize importance of maintenance (deferred maintenance costs more than in the long run); 3) public education and outreach to individuals, regional STAC’s, and organizations with related missions.
2003 Legislative Report: Emphasize the economic value of trees and
inform elected officials about proper tree maintenance to minimize long-term
expenses. Also, include synopses of ReLeaf success stories and depict a typical tree program at
the local level to put the costs in context.
The goal is to have the report ready for distribution in February
2003. Ken provided copies of a Tree
Valuation Report and an Abstract entitled, “Urban Forests: Essential Component
of a Community’s Infrastructure,” submitted by Janette Monear
to the Minnesota Environmental Partnership.
Day on the Hill: Board members discussed the idea of having a “day on the hill,” where MnSTAC members meet with the key legislators/committees and act as 10-minute advocate for community forests. Lara Newberger, chair of the Awards Committee, will send nomination forms for MnSTAC awards to elected officials in order to solicit their ideas for award-worthy community forestry projects.
Review of Committee Chairs: Current committee chairs will be reappointed, except that there is a vacancy in the Planning Committee (since Dave DeVoto stepped down as chair). Glen Shirley and Kirk Brown were suggested as possible candidates for committee chair. Kathy Widin offered to co-chair the Forest Health Committee. Ken Holman will ask Kim Sullivan to co-chair the Legislative Committee.
Old Business:
Status of Advocate: Ken Holman said that the contract with the graphic designed for
the Shade Tree Advocate was in place,
and the editor is working on the Winter issue.
Adjournment. Motion/Second/Carried: Kathy Widin/Jim
Hermann. The meeting was adjourned at