HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Board Minutes 01.04.2024Laurel Tree Board Meeting
Minutes
1-4-24
Council Chambers
Attendance: Walt Widdis, Matt Wheeler, Tom Canape, Lynn Peterson, LuAnne by phone.
Guest: Sheri Steckler (DNRC Urban Forestry employee from Helena) Resource for Tree USA application
and available grants
1. Public Input
2. General Items.
a. November Minutes — approved — No meeting in December
b. Michelle updated on Tree city USA application (almost finished) Hopefully the Application
will stay in files at the city so we can easily file each year. Kurt always has done the
application and grant. IF we are a Tree City we can apply for $850 otherwise only $350
c. Guest Speaker — Sheri Steckler — our contact for the DNRC grants. Sheri explained that
there are grants (no match) $10-$25K available up to 2/15. We'd need a plan (such as
Aaron's South Pond map or the Riverside map). Urban forestry covers trees & shrubs in
public areas such as parks but may cover boulevards depending on the city codes. Who is
liable if a tree falls on a boulevard? Michelle will email the city attorney, Michelle
Braukmann to get more information. The city has traditionally stayed away from
maintenance on boulevard trees, leaving it to the property owner. The big question for
Sheri is whether these projects cover irrigation. It covers tree trimming but what about tree
removal. She will get back to us after speaking with Jamie (DNRC coordinator)
d. LuAnne invited Sheri to our Arbor Day to represent DNRC. We will also have Lydia Heser.
Sheri seemed interested to do a presentation on Urban forests, tree trimming.
e. Tom asked what trees do best in Laurel. LuAnne explained that the mature trees were
taken out with the paving of Main Street and smaller varieties like Amur Maples, Canadian
Cherry replaced them. These are not the best since they don't clear the sidewalks and
require too much care. Honey Locust is traditionally the best variety with grates for
watering. We still have 8 good ones, but of course they are aging. We have a Brandon Elm
doing well too.
Old Business
1. Arbor Day: Tuesday, May 7th noon — Kiwanis Park —
2. Theme: Trees — Beauty & Opportunity by artist Quinn Butler, grade 7, School of Life
3. Lynn Peterson —117 4th graders in 7 classrooms. She is asking the teachers for advice on the
lunch. Past years we've done hot dogs, croissant sandwiches, sloppy joes, sack cold lunch.
Last year so many brought their own lunches and we had so much left over.
We'll send a flyer explaining this year and educate abou zero waste picnic. SOW would like to
continue to be involved.
Lynn will contact Zada Stamper about the bussing that day.
4. Shirts — Orange with green lettering. LuAnne will send the graphic (Walt designed) to Dynamic
to get pricing. We did 47 shirts last year. Banner can't go on the pool fence so we'll need to
consider what to do about that.
5. MUCFA— LuAnne asked Sheri if she could let Patrick know we are trying to become a member
but we need an invoice and after two attempts we haven't received one yet. The state MUCFA
workshop is in March. Sheri will send us the information.
Meeting Adjourned
Notes by Michelle Mize
Next Meeting: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 4:30 Council Conference Room (unless otherwise advised)