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5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS <br />5.01: Update on Public Tree Survey (A Resilient Communities Program Project) <br />City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the purpose of this case is to <br />provide the Board a status update on the Resilient Communities Program project to complete a <br />survey of Public Trees. He noted that there was an initial classroom training offered by the student <br />group that was held on Friday, April 13. He stated that there was supposed to be an outdoor <br />training session held on April 14 but that was canceled due to a snow storm. He noted that because <br />of the late winter, which delayed the leaf -out of most trees, it was agreed to delay the outdoor <br />training session until late May or early June. He noted that the professor of this course has now <br />offered to conduct a 'refresher' classroom training for those volunteers that did attend the initial <br />training, but also for any others that were interested in volunteering to assist with the survey. He <br />advised that the two new training dates are now set for Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. He <br />noted that the students have also made training materials available online and have created tree <br />identification cards that can be used for those assisting with the survey. He provided additional <br />details on the process for the survey and the information that this will provide. He stated that the <br />data will help the City to plan for issues such as Emerald Ashe Borer, and ensure tree diversity <br />exists in the City owned land. He welcomed any interested members of the public to attend the <br />upcoming training sessions. <br />Board Member Covart asked if the teams are composed of two people. <br />The City Planner stated that ideally the teams would be composed of three people. He stated that <br />ensures safety and will also help to talk through items like species identification and health <br />condition to determine how many points are given. <br />Board Member Fetterley asked the length of time that this survey would take. <br />City Planner Anderson stated that he has been told that this will take on average ten minutes per <br />tree, noting higher times in the beginning and lower times once people are comfortable with the <br />process. He estimated that this would be a total of 400 hours of time and noted that 16 to 18 <br />volunteers would be helpful. <br />Acting Mayor LeTourneau stated that this is a great project and will supply the City with <br />knowledge to prepare itself for issues that arise with trees. <br />5.02: Update on Pollinator Friendly Projects <br />City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that the City of Ramsey is partnering <br />with the City of Andover on two (2) native landscape and pollinator friendly projects this year. He <br />noted that Andover has hosted a Native Plant Sale for a couple of years and earlier this year, staff <br />was asked if there was interest in participating in some fashion with their Native Plant Sale. He <br />stated that rather than holding separate events, Ramsey staff is simply promoting the Native Plant <br />Sale that will be held at the Andover City Hall on June 2. He stated that there will be information <br />in the next Weekly Update and on the website. He noted that information was also included in the <br />May/June issue of the Ramsey Resident newsletter promoting the event. He stated that Andover <br />also holds a pollinator friendly tour of properties that have made changes to make more pollinator <br />Environmental Policy Board / May 21, 2018 <br />Page 2 of 4 <br />