Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/10/1992

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Beth Mitchell and Bruce Bacon reported on the Arbor Day events, EXPO events and the Tree Sale. They stated that thank you notes should to be sent to the participants of both events. Ms. Mitchell also suggested having a round table meeting every month instead of once a year as a way to discuss possible changes for next year's tree sale. Mark Boos was receptive to education being a component of each meeting. Commissioner Florentius read the draft Statement of Purpose for the Citizens Tree Committee. She stated that the draft was written by Mark Boos, Bruce Bacon and herself and asked the Committee for any suggestion. Several suggestions concerning the vision statement and the mission statement were offered. Bruce Bacon suggested having other people write a vision statement and the Committee could choose the best one. Commissioner Florentius suggested having the Citizens Tree Committee review the Park and Recreation Commissions goals and make suggestions. Bruce Bacon suggested having a list of goals for the Citizens Tree Committee. Commissioner Cook agreed that it is a good idea to have a goals list and that it should be an ongoing thing. Bruce Bacon stated that the City should have a report stating how many oak trees have been lost to oak wilt each year. Mark Boos agreed and added that the City needs to know how many oak trees left and what the cost is to save them as compared to reforesting. Bruce Bacon stated that Joan Spence, an intern who worked for the City a few years ago, estimated that we were losing about 2.5% of our oaks trees a year to oak wilt. He also said that the City is awaiting Mr. Kunde's reports regarding trees and that it should be ready by mid-summer. Mr. Bacon has already informed the DNR that the City is doing a study and that staff will be requesting funds in grant application, volunteer time and matching funds. Mark Boos reported that the prairie at River's Bend had a management burn today. Bruce Bacon stated, with regard to River's Bend, that the grass is well established but the flowering plants take longer. The Cheerful Chuggers 4-H group is ready to assist with the Ramsey Elementary School prairie which will also be used for educational purposes. Mark Boos stated that the development of the vision and mission statements are very important to show what is going to be done. He suggested checking with Ken Hotman of the DNR to determine what funding is available. Bruce Bacon suggested inviting Mr. Holman to a Park and Recreation Commission meeting and to a Citizens Tree Committee meeting, but not until after the City has received the report Mr. Kunde is doing. Commissioner Florentius recommended applying for the growth award given by the DNR. She added road signs are included with this award. The Tree Committee scheduled their next meeting for 7:00 p.m., June 10, 1992 at the Ramsey Municipal Center. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION / MAY 14, 1992 Page 2 of 5