August 10, 2011

Maumelle Tree Board
Minutes
August 10, 2011

The Maumelle Tree Board met Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at 6:00 p.m., at the Maumelle Community Center, room 2A.  Present were Bilenda Harris-Ritter, President; Donna Meeks, Vice Chairman/Treasurer; Maxine (Maggie) Elvey, Secretary; Genoveva Gilbert, and Jerri Shertzer.  Also present were ex officio members Jim Narey, Maumelle Department of Public Works; and Pete Rausch, Forester, Consulting Certified Arborist.  

Bilenda called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.  Members reviewed the minutes of the July 13, 2011 meeting.  A motion was made by Donna and seconded by Genoveva to approve the minutes as submitted.  The motion carried.  

Donna gave the Treasurer’s report which shows a current balance of $246.81.  There were no expenditures or income in the last month.  A motion was made by Jerri and seconded by Genoveva to accept the Treasurer’s report as read and the motion passed unanimously.

Old Business

Changes to Tree Board Ordinance:  Bilenda met with Mayor Watson August 9, 2011, to discuss changes to the Tree Board Ordinance.  Bilenda said for this ordinance to be changed, it will go to the Planning Commission and then to City Council for votes.  If the changes are adopted Code Enforcement will be responsible for sending letters to people who have hazardous trees, not the Tree Board. 

Sapling Forest status:  All saplings are now at Bilenda’s house; many still have brown leaves and unsure how many are dead.  Bilenda said some concerns have been raised about the trees on Maumelle Boulevard that have bladders around them; she received comments from citizens who are concerned the trees are dead or dying.  Bilenda will contact Robert Cogdell, Public Works, to check on how often the bladders are filled. 

Auxiliary/Support Group:  A draft letter will be reviewed at the next meeting regarding previous discussion about utilizing an auxiliary or support group from Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or ecology group from the high school or Academics Plus.  Issue tabled until September 14, 2011 meeting. 

Arbor Day 2011:  Draft agenda was presented to the members; the timeline was discussed and shortened to a one-hour program which will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 11 a.m. allowing set-up beginning at 9 a.m.  Arbor Day will be held inside the Maumelle Community Center with the tree planting outside at the location designated by Phillip Raborn. 

Bilenda will contact the Scouts troops and ask them to present the colors, lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and assist with clean up after the ceremony.   She will also ask the new high school or Academics Plus if their band and/or choir would sing/play at Arbor Day celebration; ask Mayor Watson to be the Master of Ceremonies; contact the U. S. Forest Commission requesting Smokey the Bear be in attendance; contact Bill Lawson of the Maumelle Monitor several weeks in advance for publicity in the newspaper and request he attend Arbor Day, and will also attend City Council meeting and announce the Arbor Day celebration. 

Joshua Clausen will supply the Proclamation from last year.  The theme for this year’s Arbor Day will be “Trees are Terrific” which was used by the state this year.  Genoveva will share her list of donors from 2009 and 2010 for donations of auction and/or door prizes; if Board members have 2.

Maumelle Tree Board Minutes of August 10, 2011

other businesses to contact, they will send Bilenda and Maggie an e-mail message and the businesses will be contacted.  Donna is running the poster contest and will contact third graders. 

Grant possibility:  Pete Rausch submitted a draft of the grant to the Board; the grant calls for crepe myrtles and daffodils to be planted on Maumelle Boulevard from Audubon to Carnahan.  Grant includes purchase of trees, water tubes for irrigation and mulch; Tree Board members will spread mulch and plant daffodils and the City would fill water tubes in the summer.  Bilenda noted the grant looks good.  If the grant is approved we must go through proper channels to obtain a permit and State Highway Department concurrence.  There will be no out-of-pocket money for City of Maumelle.  The grant is due September 15, 2011.  Jerri said she has written grants in the past but is not familiar with trees but she will assist when needed. 

Fundraising/Publicity- Tree Shirts:  Members received a copy of the draft letter and picture of a proposed shirt.  Bilenda contacted the Arbor Day Foundation who agreed to the Maumelle Tree Board using “A Tree City USA since 2007”; we cannot use Tree City USA because it is copyrighted. 

The proposed shirt will have a picture of a tree and underneath will say Maumelle, Arkansas, A Tree City USA Since 2007.  The back will list Tree Shirt sponsors such as Golden Oak ($500 and above); Silver Maple ($250 and above; and Black Walnut ($100 and above) or Loblolly Pine was suggested.  The shirts would cost approximately $2500 to produce.  If ordered from Logo Connection on Maumelle Boulevard the cost would be $5 each if 500 shirts are ordered in one color only. 

During Board discussion, it was suggested using the Maumelle Tree Board logo instead of a generic tree.  Concerns were raised about how long it will take to raise the money to purchase/ sell the shirts; they may not be ready for Arbor Day.  It was suggested we continue fundraising until we achieve the $2500 goal; if not, the shirts may cost more than $15 each.  Businesses often want to give merchandise instead of money. 

Tree Board Trees Offered for Sale on Our Web Page:  Bilenda said trees for sale on the web are not selling. 

Tree of the Month-Wikipedia source:  Tree of the Month will no longer be provided by Dave Wahlfield; however, Bilenda will use Wikipedia (no copy write issues) and give them credit for monthly notices of Arkansas trees.

New Business

Additional Tree Board Ordinance changes:  Bilenda met with Mayor Watson, the city attorney and Jim Narey August 9, 2001 regarding the landscape ordinances Pete gave her following the July 13, 2011 meeting; if adopted by our Board it would go to the city attorney for review and then be sent to the Planning Commission and then to City Council.  Tabled; will discuss at a later meeting.  

Strategic Plan:  Bilenda will focus on a long-term draft after Arbor Day is finished but a timeline was given to members which details when meetings will be held and when issues must be addressed/done including the Board’s annual reports to the Arbor Day Foundation and the City Council.     

Maumelle Tree Board Minutes of August 10, 2011

Miscellaneous Announcements:  Maumelle CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) has a fire-wise presentation Monday, August 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fire Station.  Bilenda will attend to represent the Tree Board.  On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, The Friends of the Park at Lake Willastein will meet in the library.  Pete Rausch and Phillip Raborn will be the speakers and Bilenda will attend representing the Tree Board at Pete’s request.

On September 10, 2011, 2 p.m., at the Community Center, there will be a Maumelle Emergency Services Fair which will talk about many issues and the CERT will be there, Pete will have a booth to talk about safe cutting and hazardous trees; he suggested the Tree Board could get a booth regarding hazardous trees around homes (use our brochures), etc. 

Next Meeting:  September 14, 2011 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center, room 2A.

Adjourned:  7:00 p.m.

SUBMITTED BY:

__________/s/_____________         

MAXINE K. (MAGGIE) ELVEY,               

Secretary