Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee

Board Meeting Minutes

July 7, 2003 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Tree Trust, St. Paul MN

Attendees: President Lorrie Stromme, Ken Holman, Robert Slater, Michael Max, Kathy Widin, Rich Hauer, Gary Johnson

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by President Lorrie Stromme, on July 7, 2003.

Approval of Minutes. Minutes for June 9, 2003 were reviewed. Only comment was that the “orange goo” on buckthorn is a rust alternating between oats and buckthorn with no bio-control potential.
M/S/A: Mr. Max/Mr. Hauer/Approved.

Discussions:

Mr. Holman requested that Scholarship issues be added to the agenda.

Storm-damaged trees in Minneapolis. Mr. Johnson stated that he has done approximately 100 tree autopsies after recent storms in SW Minneapolis and Edina. Many problems appear to be related to narrow boulevards. Additionally, even 8 years after road/sidewalk construction, that there is little root re-establishment in the boulevards.

MnSTAC’s Annual Budget Report: Ken Holman said that the current delay in receiving funds from the Feds is running around a year; this is a little more than the typical time frame. Discussion followed on the budget issues, line items, etc. There were many questions on how the money is allocated, the apparent lack of activity by Arbor Month Partnership, why the University has not been paid its allocation, federal guidelines for how the money is spent, accountability for expenditures, etc. There was no motion to approve the budget report.

Michael Max raised questions about the duplication of information in Tree News and Susan Burks’ insect and disease emails. Pres. Stromme will contact Ms. Burks about coordinating the distribution of online newsletters.

Pres. Stromme will pick up brochures from Janette Monear for the August 13th risk management conference and get them to Jean Gustafson for inclusion in MnSTAC's July mailing. Will also try to get the brochure posted on the MnSTAC web site. Will also follow up with Lara Newberger on the revised MnSTAC brochure.

Committee Needs: Discussion on Committees that are needed or should be “sunsetted.” The MnSTAC Constitution provides for standing committees and task forces. The Strategic Planning Committee does not have a chairperson. Pres. Stromme will contact TK Walling about being the chair of the Committee.

Motion Tree Emergency Response Committee discussion. Motion to sunset the Tree Emergency Response Committee:

M/S/A Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hauer, Approved. Lorrie reminded Board members that the MnSTAC Constitution would have to be amended, since Tree Emergency Response is listed as a standing committee in Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution.

Motion Motion to sunset the Tree Preservation Task Force

M/S Mr. Johnson, Mr.Hauer Discussion.

Motion to amend: transfer Tree Preservation Task Force’s responsibilities to the Forest Health Committee.

M/S/A Mr. Johnson, Mr. Hauer, approved.

Motion Motion to make the Wood Utilization Task Force a standing committee instead of a task force.(Another amendment to the Constitution will be needed.) M/S/A Mr. Max, Mr. Johnson, approved

Motion Motion to create a task force to study and make recommendations as need concerning administrative procedures. Mr. Max has volunteered to chair the Task Force. This task force will sunset at the end of 2003.

M/S/A Mr. Max, Mr. Holman, approved

Scholarships. Mr. Holman reported that the U.S. Forest Service is offering 3 scholarships to go to the San Antonio national urban forestry conference (September 17, 18, 19, 2003). Discussion of who might be good candidates and should be recommended to go to the conference. Mr. Holman will contact the people to see if they are interested and then make recommendations to the Forest Service.

Michael Max asked about the MN/DOT Plant Selector CD-ROM monies on hold at the DNR. Mr. Holman will check on having the funds transferred to MnSTAC.

Ms. Widin announced that she has a new email address.

Adjournment. M/S/A Mr. Slater, Mr. Max, approved. Meeting adjourned 10:38 a.m.

Respectfully submitted: Robert Slater