Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2001
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
90 West Plato Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55107

Mike Max called the meeting to order at 9:40 am.

Motion to approve minutes from December 21, 2001 meeting by Ken Holman, seconded by Kirk Brown.

Introductions:
Bekky Hargrave introduced Jeff Fitzmorris. He is an employee of Tree Trust, Bekky nominated him for membership and Kirk Brown seconded it.

Announcements:
Don Mueller reminded the members of the February 23rd deadline for MnSTAC awards.

Ken Holman had copies of Call for Pre Proposals for anyone interested. The USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area is requesting Pre-Proposals for two categories: Title VIII funding (Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement), and Inner City project funding.

Janette announced that Tree Trust is looking for a part time intern to coordinate their Trade A Tree program, which is a partnership between Tree Trust and Xcel Energy designed to replace trees growing into power lines. They should contact Jeff Fitzmorris or Janette at Tree Trust.

Featured Program:
As a joint effort by Katie Himanga and Peter Bedker and with funding from a USFS Technology Transfer Grant, they researched and developed a CD called Treeord: A Tool for Tree Ordinance Development. It is a CD that enables you to put together a basic, comprehensive or custom tree ordinance for your city or town. Kate and Peter went to Tree City USA office in Nebraska and sifted through the Tree City USA certification applications for a variety of ordinances. When cities apply for certification they are required to have a copy of their tree ordinance with the application. Katie and Peter selected numerous clauses and other information, incorporating that into the CD. If you follow the prompts it is relatively easy to produce a tree ordinance for review in about two to four hours. Janette from Tree Trust thought it would be available around March. Tree Trust will be sending out 2 to each state and is working on a marketing plan. She estimated the cost per CD at $60-$70.

Findings on Becoming a 501-3C
James Burks, Mike Max, and Bruce Bacon agreed to investigate the requirements for MnSTAC becoming a 501(c)(3), or "tax exempt" status, and the rationale for doing so. A copy of their report is included with the minutes, but their advice was not to seek 501(c) (3) status at this time. Kirk made a motion to commend and accept the recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee. All were in favor, motion passed.

Toothless Saw Award
Rich Hauer made a somewhat humorous slide presentation to recognize Gary Johnson, being awarded the MN Society of Arboriculture's Toothless Saw Award. A copy of Gary's innovations will be included with the minutes, but perhaps his most memorable is his recommendations for using a wench to straighten storm tipped trees.

Agency Updates:
U of MN
The extension assistants for the 2000 calendar year kept a detailed record of information service. The Forest Resources Extension Information Line received a total of 1283 calls, letters, and visitors which was more than the previous year. The number of hits the Forest Resources Extension website received was 3138, which totals 4421 queries. The types of contact and the disposition of them is presented below.

The Forest Resources Extension Info Line office was open about 30 hours a week, with 44 scheduled hours between the two Assistants Extension Specialists. Gary pointed out that even with the increase in hits on the website, phone calls also increased, suggesting that the availability of web based information encouraged people to seek more detailed information.  

DNR
Ken reported that the final report and compliance check forms for Forest Inventory grant projects will be ready early next week and available via email. Contact Peggy Gaberial at Metro Region Forestry 651-772-7926 or Peggy.gaberial@dnr.state.mn.us.

Brian Loffelholz's Planting Specifications are in, and being reviewed. Thanks to all that sent back comments.

Jean Mouelle from the DNR along with Kathy Widin and Janette Monear are conducting several meetings with local planners and decision makers around the Metro, and various growth areas from St. Cloud to Rochester. The meetings are based on Best Management Practices to preserve wooded areas in Minnesota. The response is encouraging, with local representatives indicating their greatest needs as technical and financial assistance for natural resources inventories and educational opportunities for builders and developers. In fact, full day workshops are being scheduled this spring and summer for foresters/practitioners and others tailored to the builder and developer audiences. promotional information on these events will be available soon.

Susan Burks asked if there is anyone who has not sent back the Oak Wilt maps that she had sent out last fall to please update them and send them back to her. She will have another updated digitized map to send out, once all the information is in.

DOA
Details on the Tree Inspectors workshops is being finalized and they will be conducted in late March or early April.

Committee Reports:
Forest Health
Steve Kunde presented the possible language for the Environment and Natural Resources bill and possible language for the Higher Education bill to the members at the meeting. It has not been reviewed by the Legislative Committee yet.

After a great deal of discussion a motion to accept the legislative as proposed by the Forest Health Committee with the option of later amendment was made by Mark Schnobrich and seconded by Henry Sorenson, or the Forest Health and Legislative Committees.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mark Schnobrich and seconded by Kirk Brown at 12:35, motion passed.