HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-16 Final Tree Board Minutes Bozeman Tree Advisory Board
Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
City Shops, 814 N. Bozeman, Training Room
Minutes
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Scott Makoutz, Chair
Rebekah VanWieren
Patrick Cross
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Mitch Overton, Parks &Recreation Director
Jennifer Jolliff, Forestry Division Arborist
Melanie Eubank, Recording Secretary,Parks&Recreation Dept
A. Call meeting to order: Scott Makoutz called the meeting to order at 11:04am.
B. Changes to the agenda: None
C. Public Comment: None
D. Announcements:
-- Mitch Overton explained that Mayor Taylor had selected to be the board's commission liaison
now and how the changes occur at the commission meeting.
-- Scott explained the 2015 Summary Report that he emailed to everyone. He updated it and will
send it out again after final edits if anyone has anything to change.
D. Approve October 14,2015 minutes: Motioned and Vote Yes: 3/No: 0 i}
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E. Old Business
1. Update on Community Orchard: Patrick talked to several groups about the orchard.Initial
reactions have been positive until the discussion takes in the long term management and the need '!
for volunteers. Recruiting (and keeping) of volunteers is the biggest challenge to getting this off
the ground. Rebekah commented that food groups are better off partnering with other established
food groups who already have a volunteer base rather than trying to come up with one on their
own.A discussion continued about finding city Iand and the design concept of the Story Mill
Community Park's "edible trail." Rebekah explained the current MSU's volunteer farm and how a
permanent staff person is needed to manage it. Mitch suggested that Patrick connect with the TOP
manager, Carolyn Poissant, to combine efforts. Scott mentioned fund raising as a project to get
trees.
2. Updates on Urban Forestry Management Plan/EAB Plan: Scott reported that they are
waiting on the copy editor for the final UFMP and should have it by Monday, 1/25.As far as the
EAB Plan, more substantial changes were made with more realistic,projected treatment schedules
for affected trees. Date for motion and vote by the commission is Feb. 8th,and Mitch encouraged
everyone on the board to attend that meeting for support. He explained the resolution for
adoption he is working on for the 8th. He noted that he'll be meeting with the finance director to
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determine the fiscal impacts to the budget with the implementation of this adoption and will be
ready with the information to answer questions at the commission meeting.
F. New Business
1. Elect new chair: Patrick Cross was chosen.
-- Rebekah VanWieren was chosen as vice-chair.
G. FYI/Discussion
1. Rouse Avenue rebuild
2. Other board information/activities:
-- Our Tree City USA application completed,easily met the criteria,having done it for 22+
consecutive years. Forestry Division is currently doing the Christmas tree removals. Received the
grant for Rose Park, $10,000 for irrigation and trees for the disc golf,and will be a consent agenda
for the commission.
-- Mitch explained the development of an apartment complex north of Rose Park and the
requirement to provide parkland dedication. In this case, the improvements in lieu of parkland is
an option to make improvements to adjacent park land that would benefit those living in the
apartment complex.This would be a positive opportunity for Rose Park for needed amenities such
as benches, trash receptacles,signs.Jennifer reminded them that their Arbor Day grant will put
some additional trees in this park too. Patrick suggested the board organize a fundraising event to
put on in the fall for disc golf.The discussion moved to the Arbor Day celebration and the
responsibilities for the board,when would be best to hold it,ideas for the activities,and the need
to get most of the trees planted by then.
-- Mitch talked about the cemetery board and how Jennifer is updating the tree inventory in the
cemetery. The plan is to keep budgeting to add to the tree inventory and improving tree diversity.
Jennifer explained how her program works for taking the inventory and what some of her findings
have been. Patrick asked if this inventory information along with possibly a mapping of the burials
could be integrated to create an interesting interpretive tour with a lot of history to the area. Mitch
explained some of the projects the cemetery board is working on like the SW Veterans Cemetery,
how they've acquired land in the past,and how they have a finite amount of property to work
with.
H. Schedule next meeting: March 23, 2016
1. Adjournment- 12:OOpm
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Tree Board meetings are open to all members of the public. Ifyou have a disability that requires assistance,
please contact ourADA Coordinator, Chuck Winn,at 582-2307(TDD 582-2301).
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Patrick Cross, Chairperson Date
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Melanie Eubank, Recording Secretary, Dept of Parks& Rec.T
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