Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee
Membership Meeting Minutes
December 20, 2001, 9:30am – 11:30 p.m.
Minnesota State Horticulture Society, Falcon Heights, MN

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Lorrie Stromme, President, on December 20, 2001, at the Minnesota State Horticulture Society Building, Located at the Center for Northern Gardening, 1755 Prior Ave., St. Paul, MN.

Attendance (Note: if your name does not appear on the list below, please notify Lorrie Stromme at 612-788-5157 to correct the record)

Approval of Minutes. The minutes of the 11/15/01Membership Meeting were reviewed and approved.  Motion/Second/Carried: Mr. Kirk Brown/Mr. Michael Max/Approved

Introduction of Visitors, New Members.
Visitors introduced:
Mr. Deane Dietel, Hutchinson Tree Board
Ms. Dawn Dubats
Mr. Steve Bratkovich, USDA Forest Service
Mr. Glen Olson, Kunde Company
Ms. Laura Bates, MN DNR
Motion made to make all visitors new members.Motion/Second/Carried:Mr. M. Max/Mr. R. Slater, Motion approved.

Announcements, Open Forum, Calendar Items.
Lorrie Stromme announced the recipients of the MSA awards:
- Gary Johnson, Distinguished Service Award
- Ralph Sievert, President's Award
- Katie Himanga, Peter Bedker, and Tree Trust, Award of Merit
- Jeff Strate, Volunteer Service Award
- City of Bird Island, Treescaping Award

Lorrie Stromme announced that Mr. Rich Hauer has been elected to be the new President of the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture (MSA).

Various people announced:

·Community Forestry Workshop for NE Minnesota, Cloquet, Feb 21, 2002

· Minneapolis Park & Rec Board, Autumn issue of Seasons newsletter was distributed, including a cover story on urban forestry and an article about MnSTAC’s founder, Don Willeke

· MN/STAC message board has been improved and available for use on the MnSTAC website

· Michael Max announced that the MN/STAC membership census will be conducted on the web starting Dec 20, 200

· MN/STAC Awards nominations are being solicited

· Beyond the Suburbs Booklet is available;15,000 booklets have been printed.

· Kirk Brown showed a video of Salt Lake City Olympics public service announcements on trees

· Mark Stennes gave an update on MSA’s tree-planting video.

Elections.
Mr. Ken Simons, chair of the Constitution and Election Committee, discussed the election of 2 new, non-designated MnSTAC Board Members to fill the two seats that will be vacant at the end of 2001. The two people running were Ms. Kathy Widin and Mr. Jim Hermann. Motion was made to elect them. M/S/C:Mr. Simons/Mr. Max/both elected unanimously.

Mr. Simons then discussed the election of the Vice President for the Board for 2002. Michael Max was running unopposed. Motion was made to elect Michael Max as Vice President.M/S/C: Mr. K. Simons/Mr. R. Slater/elected unanimously.

Motion was made to formally recognize and thank Ms. Janet Larson and Mr. Mark Stennes for their service to MN/STAC as Board Members for 2000 and 2001.M/S/C: Mr. M. Max/Mr. Glen Shirley/passed unanimously.

Field Reports/Agency Updates.
Mr. Mike Prouty, USDA Forest Service: New Deputy Chief of USDA FS is Joel Holtrup, He is from this part off the country. Mr. Maloney is the new District Rep for USDA FS. Dollar amounts are going to be limited due to the war on terrorism. USDA FS is working to increase cooperation between different agencies and organizations, and it appears that a new U&CF position may open up in the future. Lisa Burban was recognized for her work in U&CF. Asian long-horned beetle work in the Chicago area may expand to our state. Mr. Prouty complimented MN/STAC and all of Minnesota on its active U&CF programs and its willingness to promote the cause.

Ms. Lisa Burban displayed and handed out a poster on “lawn mower blight.”

Mr. Steve Bratkovich discussed the new publication “Utilizing Urban Trees”

There was a short discussion of the status of the US Farm Bill.

Mr. Rich Hauer discussed the Gypsy Moth Community Forum. Approximately two dozen people showed up to take part.

Committee Reports.
Awards Committee.
Nominations are now being taken for 2001 MnSTAC Awards. There are new criteria and awards (a list was distributed). Nominations are due by 2/21/02. Don Mueller showed the photograph that won the MnSTAC Photograph Contest. Prints of the photograph will be given to award recipients at the awards banquet in March 2002.

Research and Education Committee, Gary R. Johnson.
A new editor is pending for the Shade Tree Advocate.

Legislative and Forest Health
The Legislative and Forest Health Committees should meet and coordinate efforts. There should be more personal contact with Legislators, and the Legislative tour should be re-emphasized.

Feature Presentation.
Speaker: Mr. Mike Carroll, MN DNR, State Forester

Ken Holman introduced Mike Carroll, the Minnesota State Forester. Mr. Mike Carroll announced that Tom Bauman is the new head of the Community Forestry aspects for the DNR.

Mr. Carroll emphasized that MN/STAC’s cooperative history is well known and respected in the MN Legislature. Mr. Carroll said he would help MN/STAC in promoting Community Forestry goals. Mr. Carroll also discussed the need for Forest Management, Forest Protection and Technical Assistance and that these are important core activities of the DNR. Community Forestry is an integral part of these three missions of the DNR.

Mr. Carroll suggested that MN/STAC have a speaker or presence at the State Planners Conference.

Mr. Carroll answered several questions, including: What tools are available to work with the Legislature? Letter-writing and personal meetings with legislators and the DNR Commissioner. (Mr. Carroll emphasized that the Commissioner is not a road block and supports Community Forestry). He also said to pay attention to the urban and suburban legislators.

Adjournment: M/S/CMark Stennes/Glen Shirley/passed

Respectfully submitted: Robert Slater