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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 2. <br />Meeting Date: 01/06/2014 <br />By: Chris Anderson, Community <br />Development <br />Title: <br />Subcommittee Updates <br />Information <br />Purpose /Background: <br />As the Board knows, several Subcommittees were formed at the November meeting. The Subcommittees topics <br />included the Tree Sale, the Environmental Expo, and Education and Community Awareness. Staff will be creating a <br />standing case each month for Subcommittee Updates. This will provide each Subcommittee an opportunity to <br />review thoughts and /or brainstorm with the Board as a whole on certain ideas and concepts related to their focus <br />area. <br />Observations /Alternatives: <br />Tree Sale Subcommittee: <br />The City of Ramsey has coordinated a Tree Sale for multiple decades now. The Tree Sale has traditionally always <br />been offered in the spring to correspond with Arbor Day and the availability of bareroot trees. At one time, the Tree <br />Sale included a handful of nurseries that brought their stock to a central location (in association with the <br />Environmental Expo). Over time, for various reasons, the Tree Sale evolved into a pre -order program that provided <br />residents an opportunity to purchase primarily bareroot trees at wholesale prices. Trees were available for pick -up <br />during the Environmental Expo or, as of last year, during the Spring Recycling Event. However, over time, sales <br />and participation have trended downward and this Subcommittee is exploring potential ways to reinvigorate the <br />program. <br />At the December meeting, the Subcommittee reviewed a strategy that would potentially reengage local nurseries as <br />part of the Tree Sale. The Tree Sale could still be offered on a 'pre -sale' basis, but, if a local nursery were to partner <br />with the City on this, they could potentially serve as the 'pick up' location. The benefit to a partnering nursery is <br />additional traffic to their business, potential 'add -on' sales (mulch, fertilizer, additional plant materials, etc.) and <br />some free marketing through the Tree Sale promotional information. Benefits to residents purchasing stock may be <br />extended pick up times and access to knowledgeable staff for questions on planting /maintenance The <br />Subcommittee was going to try and contact local nurseries to gauge their interest in such a partnership and report <br />back to the Board. <br />Education & Community Awareness Subcommittee: <br />A major role of the EPB is to educate the citizenry on environmentally relative matters. This can be accomplished <br />through a variety of ways including the City's newsletter, website and QCTV. This Subcommittee is researching and <br />reviewing how to better promote environmental initiatives that the City has already implemented (such as being <br />designated as a Tree City USA) as well as ways to increase community awareness of specific events and activities <br />that coincide with seasonal opportunities (such as spring /fall recycling events and holiday lights recycling). <br />Based on discussion at the December meeting, Staff has updated the website to include information regarding <br />Ramsey's status as a Tree City USA and will be developing an article for inclusion in a future edition of the <br />Ramsey Resident newsletter. Staff has also made multiple attempts to contact MnDOT to obtain the rules /standards <br />for installing Tree City USA signage on the Community Identification Signs on Trunk Highway 10. As part of their <br />update to the Board, the Subcommittee expressed an interest in reaching out to local civic organizations and <br />