November 9, 2011

Maumelle Tree Board
Minutes
November 9, 2011

The Maumelle Tree Board met Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 6:00 p.m., at the Maumelle Community Center.  Present were Bilenda Harris-Ritter, Chairman; Donna Meeks, Vice Chairman/Treasurer; Maxine (Maggie) Elvey, Secretary; and Genoveva Gilbert; Jerri Shertzer; was excused.  Also present were ex officio members Jim Narey, Planning & Zoning.

Bilenda called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.  Members reviewed the minutes of the October 12, 2011 meeting.  A motion was made by Genoveva Gilbert and seconded by Donna Meeks to approve the minutes as submitted.  The motion carried.

Donna gave the Treasurer’s report and as of October 31, 2011, there was a balance of $246.81; deposits of $331 and $69 were made which brought the total to $646.81.

Old Business

Changes to Tree Board Ordinance – Report on Status of Change:  At the City Council meeting Monday night, it passed unanimously and there was no discussion about it.

Maumelle Lions’ Club Planting Trees:  They planted 24 trees but were unable to continue due to lack of access to water at one of the ball fields; the Mayor and Phillip Rayborn were contacted by e-mail and they dug a few more holes and an abundance of rocks to continue.  Jamie Stell will talk with the City to plant the remaining trees and Mayor Watson confirmed this.  There will be a total of 60 trees planted.

At our last Tree Board meeting, Pete Rausch said he would remove the bladders the following Saturday, October 15, 2011, around the trees on the Boulevard; however, to date they have not been picked up.  He has not responded to emails regarding when this will be done.

Arbor Day 2011 – Report and Recommendations for Next Arbor Day:  Donna suggested changing the date for next year due to many other standing events and activities involving teachers and students (out of school Thursday and Friday due to AEA meetings).  Some of the other events include the homecoming Razorback game and a deer hunting season for youth which is the first weekend in November.  Donna has difficulty getting participation in the Art Contest due to these issues.  She suggested moving the date to the second Saturday in November.

Bilenda suggested a change to the ordinance indicating the Tree Board would set the date of Arbor Day annually on a Saturday in October or November.  This was brought up last summer by other members but was not changed due to the opposition from some in attendance at the meeting, none of whom attended Arbor Day due to conflicts. Our schools are not participating as in the past.  Donna will not volunteer for this next year but she did suggest opening the contest to all of the grades.  Genoveva suggested having a ‘theme’ each year and ask the children to use this as a guideline; perhaps write a poem in addition to artwork.  Having Arbor Day inside is a wonderful idea since we will not have to deal with weather-related issues.

Maumelle Tree Board Minutes, November 9, 2011

Donna will contact Beamis Tree Farm regarding the trees on Maumelle Boulevard that were planted last March but have died.  The contract with Beamis states that trees that die in the first year will be replaced so long as the contractual conditions have been met.

Recertification Report – Status:  Jeri and Bilenda are working on this; Jeri is waiting on hours from Phillip, Parks/Recreation and Public Works.  Bilenda suggested moving the Tree Board meeting from December 14 to December 7, 2011, to enable all members to review the report prior to submission. The Recertification Report is due by the end of December 2011.  Bilenda will have the Annual Report ready for City Council at that time and it can be reviewed so she can present it December 19, 2011.

Grant – Results of Competition / Fundraising – Tree Trust: Notification to the winners of the Greening Arkansas Grant was sent November 1, 2011.  We were not notified so it appears we were not successful.  The Tree Board may proceed with planning crepe myrtles on the Boulevard regardless.  Donna noted we should plant since we now have over six hundred dollars in our account.  Bilenda noted the grant asked for fifteen hundred dollars so we much raise more money to pay for the trees.  Perhaps folks will donate if we have a specific project; many said they are excited about this.  Bilenda will talk to the Mayor and City Council about the possibility of establishing a ‘Tree Trust’ at a bank so people, industries, and businesses could donate to this account.  All members were in agreement with looking at this possibility.

Tree of the Month – November Tree (Willow Oak):  The tree of the month is the Willow Oak and it is on our website.  This is the same tree that was donated and planted by the Good Earth garden Center for Arbor Day this year.

New Business

Strategic Plan:  Bilenda’s plan is to have the draft for our January 11, 2012 meeting.  Please send an e-mail to Bilenda with any ideas.

Arbor Day 2012:

Bilenda completed all thank you notes to folks who provided tables and items for the silent auction.  She did not send one to Lisa Haley because Bilenda does not have a physical address, only an e-mail address but Donna will send her this information.

Next Meeting:  December 7, 2011, 6:00 p.m., Community Center.

Adjournment:  Meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

SUBMITTED BY:

_________/s/______________

MAXINE K. (MAGGIE) ELVEY,
Secretary