Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee

Board Meeting Minutes

December 9, 2002 - 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Tree Trust Office, St. Paul MN

Attendees: Kirk Brown, Jim Hermann, Ken Holman, Michael Max, Rich Hauer, Kathy Widin, Lorrie Stromme, Gary R. Johnson

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Lorrie Stromme.

Announcements:
Lorrie Stromme announced that the annual MnSTAC/Tree City USA awards luncheon would be on April 10^th, rather than in late March (i.e., the Thursday following the Shade Tree Short Course). The event may be downscaled, and attendees may be charged a small fee (e.g., $10) to cover the cost of food and facility rental fees.

Lorrie also announced that there would not be an election with ballots, because there are two openings and only two candidates. As a result, the formal election will take place during the December 19^th MnSTAC meeting. Board members discussed amending the MnSTAC Constitution to add an “at-large” board member, selected from among non-profits, residents, Tree Care Advisors, etc.

Rich Hauer announced that the funding for the Overstory newsletter has been cut. Instead, divisions/sections of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will have their own newsletters.

Old Business:

MnSTAC Reply to MDA re: Proposed Statutory Changes. The group discussed general reaction to MDA’s changes, most of which deal with the elimination of urban forestry outreach and training efforts. MDA used to have 3 people devoted to Shade Tree Program; now, there will be one employee with a ¼-time assignment. Certification training and workshops for Certified Tree Inspectors may shift to the University of Minnesota or by conducted online. MDA would continue to issue the CTI certificates. Gary Johnson agreed to review the idea with MnSTAC’s Research & Education Committee. The nursery folks have opposed changes relating to their industry. Prior to the January board meeting, Lorrie will circulate among board members for comment a draft of MnSTAC’s official written reply to MDA.

Communications Policy. Michael Max distributed a draft of the Communications Policy governing outside requests for MnSTAC members’ contact information and other communications lists. The general policy: “The use of MnSTAC’s communications lists shall balance respect for constituent privacy with distributing information in support of its mission (i.e., ‘To advance Minnesota’s commitment to the health, care, and future of all community forests”) in a timely manner. Michael will present the policy for members’ review at the December 19^th meeting.

New Business
Increased Participation in MnSTAC by Members, Arborists, etc. Offering free continuing education units (CEU’s) for presentations at MnSTAC meetings [“See you for the CEU hour”] was generally considered an good means to increase participation/attendance. MnSTAC has offered CEU’s since its August field tour and will continue to do so in 2003. The challenge now is to get the word out about the free CEU’s.

Mike Zins’ Position in the U of MN Horticulture Dept. The group discussed how effectively to advocate for the U of MN’s continuing to fund the Extension position currently held by Mike Zins, who will retire in January 2003. They decided that regular letters of support from multiple agencies and organizations (MnSTAC, MSA, MPRB, MNLA, etc.) would be an effective method of emphasizing the importance of filling Mike’s position upon his retirement.

New Locations for Board Meetings. Since Kirk Brown is not seeking re-election to the MnSTAC Board in 2003, the Board should not count on Tree Trust’s hospitality in providing space for monthly Board meetings. Jim Hermann offered the use of a conference room at the MPRB’s Forestry office at 3800 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis. Jim will reserve the conference room for the 2003 Board meetings.

February 2003 Membership Meeting. Lorrie Stromme announced that the February 20^th MnSTAC membership meeting would be held in the evening, to avoid conflicting with the NE Urban Forestry Workshop in Cloquet that same day. Jim Hermann said that he would look into Minneapolis park buildings for a location (6 to 9 p.m.) We will acknowledge Glen Shirley’s years of service as one of MnSTAC’s founders at the meeting. Glen will be retiring on Feb. 21, 2003.

Adjournment. Motion/Second/Carried: Rich Hauer/Kirk Brown. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.