Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
President Ken Simons called the meeting to order at
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Kirk Brown
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Jim Hermann
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Ken Holman
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Gary Johnson
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Michael Max
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Bob Slater
Those absent were:
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Fletcher Johnson
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Kimberly Thielen-Cremers
Member Max moved and Slater seconded the motion to
approve the minutes of the
Member Max reported that he had received an objection to MnDOT’s
inclusion of buckthorn in its “Woody & Herbaceous Plant for Minnesota
Landscapes & Roadsides” CD.
Member Slater commented that the subject CD also includes other
invasive-type species for educational purposes and not as an endorsement.
Member Holman reported that the USDA will allow MnDOT to fund 100% of
what had been the property owner’s (farmers) share (10%) of the cost-sharing
match for grants for “living snow fences” projects.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Member Holman distributed copies of two proposed allocation formulas
(one by USDA Forest Service and one by National Association of State Foresters)
for the allocation of federal urban and community forestry funds to qualifying
states.
Member Hermann requested that Member Holman distribute an explanatory
cover letter and summary of the complex methodologies to MnSTAC members
attending the February meeting.
Member Holman advised that the State Forester has requested comments on
the proposed allocation formulas and that any individual comments should be
forwarded to the Sate Forester by
President’s Report
President Simons reported that he will be meeting with Bob Fitch,
Executive Secretary of MNLA, on February 18 to discuss the appointment of a
MNLA liaison to MnSTAC, encouragement of MNLA members to become members of
MnSTAC and cooperative efforts to support and advocate beneficial legislation.
President Simons reported that he has contacted the president of the
Minnesota Forestry Association and that a meeting will be scheduled to discuss
the benefits of a cooperative and supportive relationship between MnSTAC and
MFA.
Announcements
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Member Gary Johnson reported he had received official notice that two
Tech Transfer proposals submitted by him had been approved by USFS but were subject
to the release of the funds. The two projects are: “Homeowner’s Guide for Stem
Girdling Roots” and “Master Planning Process for Street Tree Design”.
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Member Holman announced that MNLA’s Nursery Committee and Plant Pest
Issues Committee are offering a full day program devoted to invasive pests on
March 2 at the
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Member Holman announced that the 2nd annual Rochester Urban
Forestry Workshop titled “Big Trees” will be help on February 27 at the
Member Holman moved and Johnson seconded a
motion to direct the MnSTAC Education Committee to explore the benefits of
coordinating the program efforts at the annual workshops at
New Business
Database Management
Member Max reported that he is currently working on updating of the
MnSTAC membership list, integration of several mailing lists including MnSTAC
members, Tree Care Advisors, Certified Tree Inspectors, Community Tree Board
Members, Minnesota Society of Arboriculture Members and others, and
establishment of an internet site for retrieval of names and addresses that
would be password accessible only by authorized persons.
Member Slater moved and Brown seconded a motion to establish the
Database Task Force to review privacy issues related to the membership list and
recommend appropriate policies. Motion carried.
President Simons appointed Member Max to serve as chairperson of the
task force.
Member Slater moved and Brown seconded a motion to approve the
appointment of Member Max as chairperson of the Database Management Task Force.
Motion carried with Max abstaining.
Legislative Report
Member Holman reported that legislation has been introduced into the
current session that would authorize an appropriation for the establishment of
a program of forest protection grants administered by the Commissioner of
Agriculture for distribution to municipalities for monitoring, detection and
control or extermination of forest pests.
Member Holman distributed copies of the proposed legislation (S.F. 1692)
to Board Members. Note: a copy of S.F.1692 in on file in the MnSTAC archive at
Tree Trust office.
President Simons distributed, for information purposes, copies of 1) a spreadsheet
matrix listing past legislative recommendations for legislation bienniums from
1976 to 2003, 2) a proposed legislative report schedule of status deadlines and
3) a proposed format of typical legislative action recommendations. President
Simons indicated that these documents would be topics of future Board
discussions.
MnSTAC Exhibit – League of Minnesota Cities
Conference
President Simons recommendation that MnSTAC and its “designated”
agencies prepare and display a collective exhibit at the League of Minnesota
Cities Conference scheduled for October. After a brief discussion, Board
members concurred that such an exhibit deserves further consideration and that
it would be desirable to borrow a display panel from one of the agencies.
President Simons will inquire further relative to the League’s requirements,
will discuss individual contributions with each partner agency and will develop
a proposal for Board action at the April meeting.
Information Transfer Concept
President Simons distributed copies of an Information Transfer flow
chart that diagrams general information transfer categories, responsible agency
or organization roles, type of information being disseminated and the receiving
or benefited audience group. Board members were asked to review the chart and
forward comments and corrections to President Simons by February 23.
MnSTAC Archive
President Simons reported that a file cabinet had been purchased and
that a permanent record archive would be established at the Tree Trust office
for reference and use by MnSTAC committees and task forces.
Adjournment
Member Max moved and Slater seconded the motion to
adjourn at 11:00 A.M. Motion carried.
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President