HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-STAC-2017-11-08STAC Meeting – Nov. 8, 2017
Present: Nina Bassuk, Laurene Gilbert, Jeanne Grace, Beverly Hillman, Pamela Markham, George
McGonigal, Monika Roth, Keith Vanderhye, Pamela Markham, Kevin Vorstadt, Paul Paradine
Foresters Report:
75‐80 trees to be planted in fall – identifying planting sites; most are replacements
15 crabs Floral Ave planting with students, 1 PM tomorrow (Nov. 9)
Pruning Course – ReLEAF Regional Workshop: 4 Citizen Pruners went to the training…very excited…
Walnut tree on Linn St. Jeanne went to the site and trimmed tree, homeowner still not happy.
Tree tour for IC class…learning all about trees. Nina hosted a tree walk with her students too recently –
69 species in 2 hours.
George asked about Hemlock Wooley Adelgid. Some trees may need treatment (Imidicloprid sprayed
on trunk) in Cemetery. Hard to do treatment in Natural areas, not practical…maybe do injections.
Forestry technician approved to start in 2018, full time year round position. Update inventory.
Committee Restructuring – vote passed. Not sure about next steps. New commissions will be set up in
January. It may take a while till the commissions start up – could be a sub‐committee that reports to the
commission. Anyone who lives in the City can be on the commission; majority of members should live in
City. A commission could help groups work together towards common goals.
Recommendation: This group should state their desires. What do we want to state as the unique roles
this group provides: 1) keep garden club involved in city planting (donated over 300 trees and lots of
money to city over 50 years); 2) engagement with other groups – NYSEG, Cooperative Extension, Cornell
– specialists providing technical expertise; 3) tree species selection on public & site plan review; 4) Tree
commission is required to apply for Tree City awards; 5) research projects with Cornell – eg bare root
trees, structural soil, etc.; 6) LOTS of EXPERTISE THAT THE CITY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO PAY FOR…;
7) arboriculture guidelines that need to be reviewed/updated; 8) community outreach & education –
Arbor Day, tree walks (Stewart Park, other opportunities—like Cemetery and downtown tree walks);
free labor from Cornell students involved in planting; Citizen Pruners contribute about 1500 hours per
year; 9) recommend planting areas – commercial strips; 10) Nina has access to grants that benefit city
Send a letter to Deb Mohlenoff and Dan Coogan with these bullets.
Thanks to everyone for your outreach efforts on this issue.
Other Announcements:
Nina announced she did not get a grant to do special tree planting. Still interested in planting projects
on Meadow south…lots of difficult sites.
Monika announced that Jeanne will be giving a talk on EAB on Nov. 16, Thurs. 6:30 at CCE.
Meeting adjourned 4:50 PM December Meeting – 13th, 4 PM.