HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Board Minutes 02.01.2024Laurel Tree Board Meeting
Minutes
2-1-24
Council Chambers
Attendance: Walt Widdis, Paul Kober, Bridget Coleman, Michelle Mize, Phyllis Bromgard, Aaron
Christensen and LuAnne by phone.
1. Public Input
2. General Items.
a. January minutes
b. Michelle said the DNRC grant is submitted but we haven't heard if it's been received.
c. Grants — The larger grant that was due next week will not work this year. Tree inventory
and a good long term plan need to be developed first. We should follow up with that.
Michelle clarified with Sheri @ DNRC that irrigation and landscaping materials are not
covered in the grant but employee/volunteer hours can be used to match funds .
d. City ordinance — Michelle Braukmann (city Attorney) will continue to review the city
ordinance regarding liability to the city on trees on boulevards.
e. Fundraising — Paul will contact Rotary, Lions and Cenex for donations toward our trees. We
need about $1500 more.
f. Trees — Aaron will check on trees. We'd like to plant 3 Sienna Maples since they have done
the best in the stressful soil. He estimates trees to cost $700 each for 2.5 in trunks.
g. Vendors — LuAnne contacted the 7 vendors we had last year. CM trees has said no and
LuAnne will follow up to find out why. Shei Kisch has said yes and LuAnne will follow up
with the others.
h. Shirts — Dynamic can print full color for $10.60 plus $3 for XX and $4 for XXX. For 48 shirts it
would cost $500. We are using orange shirts. There isn't a place for a banner so the only
advertising will be on the shirts and the program.
i. Food — SOW has agreed to serve sloppy joes again. Lynne is going to get a good head count.
It was mentioned that the Food Dude has a 4th grader and people love his food. He might
give us a deal . Aaron will talk with him.
j. If the trees in Kiwanis park need extra trimming, we might ask local pros to give some
service to those trees that need help to make the trees healthier. LuAnne will speak to
Steve Larned and Matte Melle.
k. Fireman and American Legion —Michelle will contact JW Hopper and Richard Close
I. Tents — we have two square tents .... if the weather is rough we may need a bigger one.
m. Bathrooms, tables and chairs, stage trailer and power— Matt Wheeler
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. We'll send a flyer explaining this year and
educate about zero waste picnic.
4. MUCFA — Still not a member, but their convention is in March. Hopefully we can find out more
about that.
Meeting Adjourned
Next Meeting Thursday, March 7, 2024 4:30 Council Conference Room (unless otherwise advised)
ST, 2015
LAUREL MONTANA COMMUNITY FouNDATioN INc.
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PO Box 11-8 LAUREL, MT 59o4 -i+
To Laurel advocates:
The Laurel Tree Board has been inexistence for over 16 years. Since 2017, we have been designated a
Tree City USA. This means we have dedicated funds for managing and caring for city trees. Every year
the city and the Tree Board sponsor the planting of a tree or trees for National Arbor Day in one of our
city parks. For the past seven years we have included the 4th graders throughout the city. The event
includes various government organizations that educate the students on the environment, nature,
pests, fish, weather and trees. It's a half day spent outdoors and everyone has a memorable
experience. Our teachers look forward to this yearly event. For 2024, we are holding our Arbor Day
celebration on May 7th in Kiwanis Park. Three trees will be added to the west side of Kids Kingdom
playground to provide shade. We will also replace any young trees that have died in our parks. The cost
of the celebration including tree purchases is $3,000. We are looking for sponsors for this event and
hoping you will join us.
We have partnered with the Laurel Montana Community Foundation this year so our donations will be
monitored by them. The LMCF is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corporation that has been a wonderful asset to
the fundraising in our community. If you would like to support our efforts this year, checks can be made
to Laurel Montana Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1138, Laurel, MT 59044. Donations can also be
made online at www.laurelcommunity.org.
If you would like information about the Arbor Day Celebration, please call LuAnne Engh 406-698-0121.
If you have questions about the Laurel Montana Community Foundation, call Jon Rutt 406-861-7169.
Laurel Tree Board
LuAnne Engh
Bridget Coleman
Aaron Christensen
Pastor Walt Widdis
Phyllis Bromgard
Paul Kober
Michelle Hammer Mise
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The Laurel Montana Community Foundation Incorporated is a Montana Non -Profit, tax exempt Public Benefit
Corporation. We are a 501(c)(3) organization exempt from federal income tax with an EIN of 47-3756434.