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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBTB mins 3_29_06Bozeman Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minutes March 29, 2006 Noon to 1:00 pm City Hall conference room Bozeman, Montana Meeting Participants Board members: Shelly Engler, Anne Foster (secretary), Liz Galli-Noble (chair), and Gene Keith. Others present: Ryon Stover, Bozeman Forestry Department. Meeting Minutes Approval A motion was made and seconded to approve the February 15, 2006 meeting minutes with minor edits. The motion carried. Board Membership Gene Keith announced that he was officially appointed to the Board by the City Commission. The Board requested that Liz speak to Chris Nixon about staying on the Board. He has missed many meetings in the past year. With him out of town so much these days, the Board is basically functioning with four and not five members. Bozeman Advisory Board Survey Earlier in March, the Board members had decided to fill out the Bozeman Advisory Board Survey collectively during this meeting. Liz took notes as the Board members went through the 15 questions. Liz will type up the Board’s responses and send them to the Board members via e-mail for review. Then, as was instructed on the Survey, Liz will send the final draft of the Survey and attachments to Tracy Oulman electronically. Going through this process made the Board aware of the fact that it needs to consolidate the Board’s history, by-laws, purpose, etc. (information that at present is only documented in Shelly Engler’s personal files) into some sort of packet that can be shared with future Board members and other interested parties. It was decided that this fall the Board will work on putting together a Tree Advisory Board informational packet. Forestry Budget: Tree Board Line Item? The Board does not have an official line item in the Forestry Department’s budget; instead, there is a “Publications” line item under which it states: “Tree Board brochures” with an amount of $1,000. The Board decided that it wants to ask the City Commission for a small amount of discretionary spending to be added to the Forestry Department’s budget in the future; other City boards receive funding in this manner. The Board added language to this effect in its response to the Survey. The Board may also pursue this request directly with the Commission. Tree Board Logo Ryon Stover handed out a draft logo that Jennifer Robbins had designed for the Board. The Board members liked it very much. A motion was made and seconded to accept the logo as the official logo for the Board. The motion passed with full Board approval. Jennifer will send her design to the Board electronically, and Shelly and Liz will adapt it for use as a shadow and header, for a variety of Board applications. Note: The Board was told that Robin Sullivan’s replacement will have to approve the new Tree Board logo. Tree Selection Brochure The Board inquired about the number of Tree Selection Brochures still available this year. Ryon reported that there are still thousands available for distribution to the public this year. New Tree Brochure Liz reported that she was asked if the Board could get the new brochure done by Arbor Day (April 28, 2006). She indicated to Jennifer that that was highly unlikely, which the Board agreed with at this meeting. Liz did send Jennifer a DRAFT outline for the brochure on February 15. Gene Keith volunteered to continue work on the brochure. The Board agreed that this product would not be done until later this year. The Board would prefer to take its time and do a good job on the brochure, rather than rushing the process. 2006 Tree Planting Projects? 1. Liz gave an update that the Rouse Rehab Project is moving along slowly. Chances are good that the tree planting portion of this effort will not happen until ~2010. They are presently working on water quality issues and project design. 2. Arbor Day Project (April 28, 2006) The Emily Dickenson School Planting Project was chosen as the focal event for Arbor Day this year. Jennifer has been in contact with the principal of the school and they were working out all the details and activities. There is a possibility of planting more than one tree at this location; could plan for planting the whole strip, although it would require an irrigation system. Perhaps this could be a long-term plan, to continue planting trees over several years. Board members should plan to be present at this event. The planting could take place in early June as well, if the Arbor Day date cannot be coordinated in time. Ryon will let the Board know more as plans are finalized with the school. Gallatin Valley Water Issue Discussion on this issue was tabled for this meeting, but it needs to continue in at future meetings and should be kept on our agendas. The Board all agrees that water quality, use, and availability is a major concern for the Gallatin Valley, now and in the future. The Board would like to work with other city boards on this issue. Shelly reported that she has spoken to the Bozeman Beautification Board about a collaboration. *This item was also addressed in the Board’s response to the Survey. Incidental Note: Ryon reported that a local citizen was willing to purchase and plant a 2” Norway maple in Centennial Park. The next Tree Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at noon in the City Hall conference room. This will be a very short meeting that focuses on the Arbor Day event only. Several suggested agenda items for future meetings are: Does the Forestry Department have guidelines for city owned trees? What species are encouraged? Street Tree Master Plan—produced by the Tree Board. Membership problem. Gallatin Valley water issue.