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MINNESOTA SHADE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Board Meeting Minutes
May 6, 2002, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Twin Cities Tree Trust, St. Paul MN
Attendees: Rich Hauer, Kirk Brown, Kathy Widin, Robert Slater, Jim Hermann,
Lorrie Stromme, Ken Holman
Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by President Lorrie
Stromme, on May 6, 2002, at the Twin Cities Tree Trust, St. Paul, MN.
Approval of Minutes. The Minutes of the 4-8-2002 Board meeting were
reviewed and amended to combine two paragraphs on page 2 regarding the
Teacher's Guide. Motion/Second/Carried: Mr. Holman, Mr. Hauer, Approved.
Announcements:
Mr. Hauer discussed the issues related to spraying Bt in south Minneapolis for
gypsy moth. There were problems with interpretation of state law banning the
spraying of pesticides over people. This has been addressed in the legislature, a
bill has been passed and awaits the signature of the Governor.
Lorrie Stromme discussed the press release from Department of Agriculture,
requesting that homeowners not use the commercially available gypsy moth
(GM) traps. Their use causes problems in tracking GM in Minnesota. These
traps are sold to homeowners out east where GM is established. While legal, the
traps are disruptive in Minnesota because they use the same pheromones that
are used in the tracking efforts here.
The first MN/STAC fact sheet for the Legislators and community leaders went out
the week of May 1. The next fact sheet is on GM and forest tent caterpillar.
The USDA has put out notice that they are looking for a Director of the regional
Center for Urban Forestry.
Ms. Katie Himanga has updated MnSTAC's list of key contact people for
Emergency Storm Response.
Mr. Hauer discussed the Minnesota Community Tree Survey. The response
rate is 30% so far. In the end there should be around a 70% response rate.
Old Business:
Ms. Janet Larson will no longer be arranging the speakers for the MnSTAC
Membership meetings. Any ideas on who may be a good candidate to replace
her please let Pres. Stromme know. Discussion followed on possible future
speakers, subjects, and locations.
Discussion of lobbying efforts relative to state agency and University cuts. How
should issues like the retirement and replacement of Mr. Mike Zins and the
closing of Itasca be handled?
An "Agency Legislative Liaison" get-together was generally discussed. A
separate meeting for later this year is a possibility to coordinate agency
strategies prior to the 2003 legislative session.
Membership lists. The list will be emailed to the board members to review before
the next Board meeting. The purpose of the review is to update contact
information for members.
Combined MSA-MN/STAC meeting. The logistical problems of a combined
meeting were discussed. Motion was made to drop the idea and have the
September MnSTAC meeting revert back to its normal day (September 19,
2002). Motion/Second/Carried: Mr. Slater, Mr. Holman, approved (6 yes, 1 no,
voice vote).
New Business
Email newsletter for MnSTAC. Pres. Stromme will send out an example for
comment. Further discussion at the next Board Meeting.
Annual MN/STAC report. Discussion of whether or not an Annual Report is
required to be sent to the MnSTAC membership or if the Legislative Report
would be sufficient. A separate report will be sent. Pres. Stromme will write up
one similar to what she did last year. The Annual Report is primarily a recap of
MnSTAC committee activities over the past year, and its audience is the
membership. The Legislative Report is intended for elected officials; it itemizes
funding needs and reports on how prior funding has been successfully used to
implement community forestry programs.
Mr. Holman discussed some of the reorganization that is going on at DNR.
Adjournment. Motion/Second/Carried: Mr. Hauer, Mr. Hermann, Approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:33 a.m.
Respectfully submitted: Robert Slater