Call to Order

President Ken Simons called the meeting to order at 9:15 A.M. Those present were Board Members:

· Kirk Brown

· Jim Hermann

· Ken Holman

· Fletcher Johnson

· Gary Johnson

· Michael Max

· Bob Slater

Those absent were:

· Kimberly Thielen-Cremers

Approval of Minutes

Member Holman moved and Slater seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2004 regular Board meeting subject to the following correction. Motion carried.

Addition to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announcement:

“Member Holman suggested that the President send a letter to Deputy DNR Commissioner Mark Holstein relating MnSTAC’s awareness of the Governor’s proposal to assign oversight of funds from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to MCHF, and if such oversight is established, that urban and community forestry be included as one of the areas of focus of MCHF’s expenditures.”

Partner Announcements and Reports

University of Minnesota

Member G. Johnson reported that at its October 13^th meeting, the Shade Tree Short Course Planning Committee rejected the proposal that MnSTAC be allowed to schedule a one-hour annual business meeting as an agenda item at the start of the second day of the Short Course.

Tree Trust

Member Brown reported that the League of Minnesota Cities fall conference was poorly attended. Tree Trust staffed a booth representing Tree Trust and MN ReLeaf program.

Member Brown announced that Tree Trust will be adding Barb Spears to its staff. Barb is currently the Director of the MFA Metro Chapter and Urban Forester with the Community Forestry Resource Center at IATP.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Member Holman reported that there does not appear to be much political support at this time for the oversight of funding and decision-making focused on the outdoors under control of MCHF. However, this general proposal does provide MnSTAC an opportunity to raise awareness of urban forestry issues as a companion to the other natural resource concerns.

Member Holman distributed a one-page Emerald Ash Borer information sheet that was funding by a $10,000 USFS grant.

Member Holman requested that the Department of Agriculture be invited to report at an upcoming MnSTAC Board meeting on the development of an emerald ash borer action plan for Minnesota.

Member Holman reported that St. Paul’s Festival of Trees will be the focus of DNR’s Arbor Month activities in 2005.

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Member Slater reported that MnDOT is seeking “outside” assistance with the development of a comprehensive definition for the term “Significant Trees” which is a critical element in the recently instituted “design-build” concept for state highway improvement projects.

New Business

Unified Display for Conferences

President Simons initiated a discussion relative to the organization of a unified partner display relative to urban forestry programs and issues for placement at conferences such as the League of Minnesota Cities and Shade Tree Short Course as an effort to reach city officials, tree professionals and the general public. Following a general discussion and agreement that such a display could be beneficial and effective, Member Holman requested that each state agency partner, including Tree Trust, prepare a list of potential conferences for continued discussion at the December Board meeting.

MnSTAC Regular Meeting Agenda

President Simons reported that Tree Trust, as part of its Administrative Services Contract, would assume responsibility for arranging the featured presentation at the MnSTAC monthly meetings. Information Transfer Committee (formerly Education Committee) Chairperson G. Johnson expressed support of the transfer of responsibility for this task from the Information Transfer Committee to Tree Trust.

The Board progressed into a discussion of the standard meeting format. It was concluded that meeting attendance has been relatively low due to factors such as other demands on time, other information sources being more affective, state agencies able to justify sending only one representative and tedious meeting content. The Board suggested that an exchange of experiences and the featured presentation followed by an open discussion or forum be emphasized, and that announcements and agency reports be minimized or addressed as a paper handout or website column and that a “break” occur between a shortened business meeting and the featured presentation so that persons interested only in the presentation can join the group without being conspicuous. President Simons indicated that he would alter the format for the November meeting in an attempt to address the Boards’ analysis and recommendations.

Member G. Johnson suggested that the MnSTAC membership should be surveyed to determine potential topics for future programs.

Adjournment

Member G. Johnson moved and Max seconded the motion to adjourn at 11:15 a.m. Motion carried.

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