Attendees: Pres. Lorrie Stromme, Rich Hauer, Kirk Brown, Kathy Widin, Robert Slater, Jim Hermann, Ken Holman, Mike Max, Gary Johnson.

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by President Lorrie Stromme, on July 8, 2002, at the Twin Cities Tree Trust, St. Paul, MN.

Approval of Minutes. The Minutes of the 6-10-2002 Board meeting were reviewed and approved as amended. Motion/Second/Carried: Mr. Max, Mr. Brown, Approved.

Announcements:
Mr. Max will send out Meeting and Calendar announcements via email.

Mr. Hauer, MSA Report. General discussion of the MSA Fall Workshop and Tree Climbing Championship (September 13-14, 2002, at St. John’s University in Collegeville). All is coming along well. Planning for the Green Expo, January 7-9, 2003, is going well. The Stem Girdling Roots video has been sent to ISA for distribution and sale in its catalog.

Pres. Stromme announced that an insect/disease diagnostic field tour has been arranged for August 20, 2002, at Blackhawk Park in Eagan. Cindy Ash, Val Cervenka, and Gregg Hove will lead walking tour of the park and help identify tree problems and pests. This field tour was arranged in response to request for a field tour during the tour of Kelley Farm at the May 2002 MnSTAC meeting.

Mr. Hauer said that the Community Tree Survey response rate is about 66%.

Old Business:
The LCMR hearing for MN/Releaf went well, Ms. Widin, Mr. Brown and Mr. Don Willeke testified. Management strategies will be emphasized.

The recent increase of Dutch Elm Disease was discussed.

Answer to last meeting’s question concerning the increase of internalized funds at DNR: miscalculation - there was no increase. That will leave the MN/STAC budget at $23,000.

MnSTAC Outreach Efforts in Northern Minnesota. No movement. Mr. Max will follow up in July.

Membership lists. General discussion of the list followed. Points covered: Who will receive mailings; adding a line to the member list database re: official member/interested non-member. An "advocate" (nonmember) will get email news. Dr. Johnson brought up the idea of charging a low fee for the Advocate newsletter. Cost idea should be taken to the general membership.

New Business
The U.S.D.A. Forest Service’s Midwest Center for Urban Forestry is in the process of hiring a Coordinator. After the hiring is completed, planning will continue at an August 27 to 29 meeting convened by the Forest Service.

Mr. Max discussed the idea of a "Champion Trees Award" for a lifetime (or long- time) service award, for e.g., 25 years of service. There could be more than one award per year. The idea of a Hall of Fame was also discussed. Pres. Stromme will forward this idea to the Awards Committee.

Dr. Johnson discussed the idea of the need for a map of Nicollet Island brownfield tree plantings, in the form of a brochure or signage for a self-guided walk, explaining the history of and progress of tree plantings on the Island.

Adjournment. Motion/Second/Carried: Mr. Holman, Mr. Max, Approved. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Respectfully submitted: Robert Slater, recorder