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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Tree Board 2008-12-05E S T E S ()PARK COLQRADQ TREE BOARD MINUTES December 5, 2008, 9 a.m. Board Members Present: Scott Roederer Sandy Burns Bob Seifert Mike Richardson Chuck Levine QUORUM: yes Other Present: Russ Franklin, Bruce Kane — Public Works Staff Scott Zurn — Public Works Director Barb Boyer Buck — Support Staff Absent: Wendell Amos The meeting began with a discussion regarding the November 20, 2008, Public Works Committee decision regarding funding $15,000 for a landscape study to create an extension to the arboretum. At that committee, the decision was tabled pending identification of a funding source. Scott Zurn reported Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority (EPURA) has allocated $25,000 to re -landscape the picnic area located in the proposed arboretum site. Now that the funding source is identified, the arboretum extension plan will be taken back to the PW Committee in January for formal approval. In addition, the remainder of the 2008 Tree City funds — approximately $7,200 — will be allocated to this project. Zurn also reported that since EPURA is providing the funding, EPURA will be managing the landscape study; he suggested the Tree Board either appoint a couple of members to consult with the landscaper or have the landscaper do a presentation for the Tree Board; the Tree Board opted to have bidding landscapers do a presentation for the entire board. It was also discussed that a consultation with Bureau of Reclamation — which owns the land where the proposed arboretum extension would take place — would be needed before any plans are finalized for the area. 4, The 2009 Tree City Application materials were reviewed; it is necessary to submit the application to the Arbor Day Foundation (via the state forester) by December 31 to maintain our "Tree City" designation. Information needed to complete the application includes a "work plan" for 2008, explaining where Tree City funds were used and an expense detail. Russ Franklin would provide this information to Barb Boyer Buck to complete the application. It was resolved advertisement regarding the vacant position on the Tree Board will commence in January, 2009. Tree Board members' terms were discussed; it was determined Scott Roederer's and Bob Seifert's terms would expire in April, 2010 and Sandy Burns' and Mike Richardson's terms would expire in October of 2012. Tree Board members serve a four-year term. The Tree Symposium plans were discussed at length. It was decided everyone will contribute to the coordination of next year's symposium so the newer board members can learn the process; for 2010, a coordinator will head planning. 2009 will be considered a "transitional year" with Scott Roederer heading the planning and all board members and staff contributing their efforts. Previous years' symposium feedback forms indicated a change in format would be welcome; there was a general consensus the venue was too small and people felt cramped. Alternate venues were discussed; the quote Tracy Feagans received from the Holiday Inn was reviewed; a "bare -bones" quote came to about $1,000 which many board members felt was too high. However, the possibility of expanding the event and perhaps including vendors who could off -set the cost of the facility with participation fees was explored. It was resolved to renegotiate with the Holiday Inn, going through the CVB Conference Center salesperson, Julie Nikolai. The result of this meeting will be reported to the board members via email prior to next month's meeting. Other possibilities include having the symposium in several board rooms within Town Hall and having the keynote speaker present twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The topics for the symposium were determined to include: I. Presentation from the keynote speaker, Dave Leatherman, entomologist. 2. Local update on beetle infestation, mitigation efforts 3. Landscape choices in beetle country 4. "Got Beetles?" What to do now that you have beetles 5. Fire mitigation 6. Panel Discussion — beetle infestation policies of various governmental agencies 7. Panel Discussion — statewide experts on how to deal with beetle infestation Arbor Day plans were briefly discussed including the idea of giving each classroom in a certain grade in the elementary school a seedling to care for and eventually plant. Sandy Burns was appointed coordinator of Arbor Day activities Franklin will contact the school and coordinate plans. Since much of the meeting was spent discussing the Tree that January's meeting will be devoted to this topic. The meeting was adjourned at 1 1:10 a.m. Submitted by Barb Boyer Buck, December 8, 2008. NEXT MEETING: Friday, January 9 • for 2009; Sandy and Russ Symposium, it was resolved