HomeMy WebLinkAboutTree Board Minutes 10.15.2020MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
Tree Board
10/15/2020 09:30 AM
City Council Chambers
A Tree Board was held in the City Council Chambers and called to order by LuAnne Engh at
09:30 AM on 10/15/2020.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
®
LuAnne Engh, Chairman
❑
Aaron Christiansen, Vice -
Chairman
®
Walter Widdis, Secretary
®
Dale Ahrens
OTHERS PRESENT:
®
Richard Herr
®
Matt Wheeler
Kurt Markegard
❑
Phyllis Bromgard
1. Public Input
a. Nick Altogona, City Planner was in attendance
2. General Items
a. September 2020 minutes approved
b. Arbor Day - highlights Great weather until the wind picked up 125 4t" grade
public school students attended in he morning and Megan Hoyer and Pam
Schwend. At 1:00 the homeschoolers and First Baptist and New Life students (32
total) visited our 4 presenters.
c. Our vendors were Megan Hoyer, Sherry Kisch, lames Prchal and Jeff Herman -
each had 20 minutes to explain their topic. All of them were outstanding and
didn't mind the wind and heat.
d. After the presenters the kids helped finish planting the 2 trees
e. Dale had granola bars for all the students. We had water and a sub sandwich for
the presenters.
f. Money spent on this year. $190 for food $1300 trees with warranty
g. We still have $500 in Walmart funds with the school. We'll apply next February
for another grant.
h. Walt will put in an article in the Laurel Outlook about Arbor Day 2020
i. Next Spring Arbor Day will be set for May 4th. Location to be determined
according to the constuction of the dock. We will need to find new artisits. Dale
said he would ask the Public School 4th grade to advertise for the theme.
3. New Business
a. Rotary has 6 benches they would like to put in the smaller parks
b. Triangle parks that were affected by the new street paving have been leveled
and trees removed that were not supported. Looks great.
c. Concern over dead trees in the LURA district. - downtown area. Nick explained
that there are funds available to help replace trees through the TIFF money.
d. Dead trees on 8th are not in LURA and therefore the owners responsibility.
LuAnne will contact the manager and explain they should use a company to plant
trees with a warranty plus locate a water source.
e. Steve Zabawa owner of the Burger King lot took out the row of Pine trees due to
pine beetle disease. Laurel could apply for a landscaping grant to replace those
to beautify the entrance to Laurel. Nic will report next month.
4. Old Business
a. Replacing 5 dead ash trees at South Pond - with Hackberry, elm, maple or linden
and one juniper. This will remain on our list of concerns
b. Lions Dock -Everything is ready for bids for the dock. Construction could begin
as soon as next Spring.
c. Riverside Park campground is done but not open until next Spring when the
water is on.. 25 new trees are planted.
5. Other Items
a. All members should keep track of their hours and turn them in by the end of the
year. Kurt will circulate the forms. This is important for the Tree USA distinction
2
b. Grace Bible church is working with the city to repair Kids Kingdom -Meetings
have happened to fundraise and see that the playground is set for next summer.
We may be looking at adding trees to this project.
6. Announcements
a. Next meeting November 19, 9:30am...
The Tree Board adjourned at 10:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
LuAnne Engh
Committee Chairman
NOTE: This meeting is open to the public. This meeting is for information and discussion of
listed agenda items.
3