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5.02: Discuss Potential Creation of Subcommittees Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson presented the staff report. He explained the process that he is attempting to setup for the Subcommittees which have been formed. • Tree Sale Subcommittee Chairperson Max reviewed the background information on the Tree Sale Subcommittee. He advised that building patterns have changed and there is not the same kind of demand that there has been in the past. He stated that for the amount of work that goes into the Tree Sale the demand does not warrant the tree sale to continue in its current format. He noted that if the program were to move forward it would need to be tweaked. He believed an alternative for the event could occur in the spring and on a pre -sale basis, in conjunction with the local nurseries. He explained that if the nurseries in the City are interested, the sales could be done on a pre -sale basis with pickup occurring at the nursery during a specified range of dates. He believed that the alternative option could be investigated but if that does not work he believed the tree sale should end. Board Member Valentine questioned what the benefit to the nursery would be. Chairperson Max noted that the nursery would have the benefit of additional customers coming in to pick up their trees that may purchase additional items. Board Member Bentz advised of another idea where the tree sale could occur in conjunction with the Arbor Day planting that occurs each year. Board Member Lewis stated that he believed it would be worthy to pursue whether or not the nurseries would like to participate as Chairperson Max suggested. Chairperson Max questioned if the Board should determine if the EDA would also like to be involved as the alternate option would involve partnering with local businesses. Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that when the participation of the school with the expo was lost, the tree sale took a drastic hit in sales. He explained since that time there has been a steady decline in the number of people purchasing from the tree sale, estimating about 12 -15 purchasers the past year. He stated that there is certainly staff time that goes into this event, a lot of which is the development of the web page, and did not believe that a sufficient amount of residents are taking advantage of the program. He stated that if the event could become successful he would love to see the tree sale continue, but with the recent participation levels was unsure if it is warranted. Chairperson Max stated that with the alternate option, which involves bringing in the nurseries, a larger window for pickups could be provided. He noted that within the past few years two nurseries have closed within Ramsey, so it is not simply the tree sale being effected. Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson explained the previous process that was used for the tree sale was to coordinate a venue for nurseries to bring their stock to a central Environmental Policy Board / December 2, 2013 Page 3 of 6