Meeting Minutes for February 17, 2000
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
90 West Plato Blvd.,
St. Paul, MN

Meeting convened by Glen Shirley, President @ 9:39 a.m.

Minutes of December 16, 1999 Meeting:
No corrections were made to these minutes.
Motion by Mike Max/ Bob Slater/ Passed

Minutes of January 20, 2000 Meeting:
No corrections were made to these minutes.
Motion by Mike Zins/Mark Stennes/ Passed

Attendance: 

Introduction of Visitors:
Janet Larson introduced Sandy McCartney, a private woodlot forestry consultant. Nominated for membership by Janet/ Mike Max/ Passes.

Andy Sobert introduced himself and was nominated for membership by Jim Herman/ Rich Hauer/ passed.

Announcements and Calendar Items:
Don Mueller passed out the U&CF Update and highlighted key items on the update.

Mark Stennes shared The Elms: Breeding, Conservation, and Disease Management, a new book edited by Christopher P. Dunn, and Published by Kluwer. this book houses a chapter on Dutch Elm Disease Chemotherapy, written by Mark. Reprints of this chapter were made available.

Ken Holman announced that he received a letter informing him of staff changes in the Pennsylvania in the Urban Forestry Program. Contact Ken if you have questions.

Feature Program: Conserving Wooded Areas in Developing Communities
presentation by Jean Mouelle, DNR Forestry:

Jean’s talk was about Conserving Wooded Areas in Developing Communities, Best Management Practices in Minnesota. First, a brief historical perspective about the status of woodlands in Minnesota was given to show how human activities including farming, logging and land development alter the landscape and particularly the woodlands. Second, Jean presented the advisory committee, a wide represented committee of public and private organizations, that put the booklet together. A description of the processes that lead to the development of the booklet, the layout and content was given. The BMP guidebook contained ideas and methods that can be before, during and after land development at three equally important levels including landscape level where land use planning decision are made, a subdivision and individual lot levels where land use planning decisions are implemented. Emphasis should be given on open communication between levels. Four open forums regarding Creative Development Through Communication were organized to promote the booklet, and also increase public awareness and participation. Finally, Jean alluded the audience to the upcoming workshops and training that will be organized next fall and the builders/developers awards program that will be used as an incentive to implement the BMPs.

A question / answer session followed the presentation.

Q: How are we linking communities with certified arborists? (M. Max)

A: We are creating a network with forums and workshops. (Mouelle)

*Stennes suggested that we cooperate with MSA and utilize their lists

*Holman noted that the DNR is currently working on this

Q: What is being done to reach the developers? (S. Cook)

A: We aren’t to that step yet, it is the next step. We are currently at step 1 and at this step we are just concerned about communicating with them. (Mouelle)

Q: What incentive will there be for them to change their mind set? (S. Cook)

A: The BMP Guidebook is the credibility behind the idea and people will want what’s right (listed in this publication). The MET Council is aware of this, and legislating this is also a possibility. (Mouelle)

Q: Can people be pointed in the direction of those doing a good job? (J. Burks)

A: The local government will need to award the cities involved because the awards portion of this program will only look at the builders. Thus, those awarded builders would be recognized for doing a good job.

Some examples of current stand out programs were given at this time.

Committee Reports:
Forest Health - Rich Hauer announced that he has secured funds for a billboard, and has requested that if there are leftover funds that he would like to do Public Service Oak Wilt Announcements to go along with the billboards.

Arbor Month - Don Mueller announced that the calendar is in it’s final stages and there is a meeting following this MnSTAC meeting.

Legislative - Glen Shirley noted that the Legislative Report is in the latest issue of the Shade Tree Advocate, and it is available outside of the Advocate as well, this enables you to send it to your legislator if you wish.

Jeff Borst provided State of MN Government folders which include information on the state legislators and lawmakers.

The following committees provided no report or had no representative present: Research & Education, Outreach (still needs a chair, see Glen Shirley), Planning, Publicity & Awards, Scholarship, Tree Emergency Response, Preservation, and Utilization.

Don Mueller announced that SE STAC is having their awards banquet and luncheon on April 7.

Agency Updates:
Rich Hauer of MDA passed out a handout.

Ken Holman of MN DNR Forestry passed out a handout on The Big Woods. He also noted that the MnReLeaf Inventory deadline was moved to the end of February, and the Forest Health deadlines are June 1 and November 1, if there is still monies available.

Jeff Borst of Tree Trust noted the four LCMR Proposals and passed around a handout. He welcomes questions and calls.

Peggy Sand of MN DNR Forestry noted three LCMR Proposals and passed around a handout. She would also like everyone to keep in mind that projects would all start in July of 2001.

Glen Shirley, City of Bloomington is looking to send letters of endorsement for LCMR Projects on behalf of MnSTAC to the appropriate State Legislators. Motioned by Janet Larson / Mike Max / passed.

Field Reports:
Mark Stennes announced that there was an Open Forum on Stem Compression. Attendees include City Foresters, State Agencies, and Consultants. He made it known that anyone was welcome to attend. Please see him regarding attendance. They have had a remarkable response.

Meeting adjourned @ 11:54.

Motion: Mike Max / Bob Slater / passed

 Minutes submitted by Carrie Zitzman