Agenda - Council - 06/26/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�J Board Member Freeburg stated that Paul Anton, Director of Research at Wilder Research will speak. Mr. Anton pulled together a study that appeared in the newspaper on how open space affects the economic value of properties. Board Member Freeburg explained that Wilder Research researched three studies of 100,000 real estate transactions in the metro area. Mr. Anton will present on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. Chairperson McDilda stated this will be a televised event in the Council Chambers. Conservation Finance Discussion This item was tabled for lack of discussion. Case #2 Prototype of an Electronic Tree Book Board Member Max presented an example of what an electronic Tree Book could look like. He referenced a Department of .Transportation website. The Department 'of Transportation has grants that communities use to get free planting stock and a plan, so long as it is put in and guaranteed for three years of maintenance to get established. They started doing so many of these plans that people were overwhelmed. Board Member Max stated he built a database and put it on the web. That database has trees, shrubs, flower, and ferns. He used a derivative of that to create the first Ramsey Tree Book. He stated that this derivative was used for a project he participated in to do street tree master plans. The concept is, if starting from scratch like Ramsey, to assist with making a plan. He stated he put in a scheme to prioritize the plan. Board Member Max presented a visual of the www.treesavvy.com/StreetTreeDesi�ne He indicated that the web user can select physical characteristics, soil properties, tolerances, and provinance results. He stated this is being used 'for another project, but it would be easy to adapt something similar to the Ramsey Internet site. He stated he has a degree in computer science so his experience could lend to the City's benefit. Board Member Max demonstrated the web features for the Board, by experimenting with the website to choose common tree names based on selection criteria. Chairperson McDilda commented that not only is this an interesting tool to be used by the City, but to be used also by developers. Board Member Max explained that growth rate can be added as one of the selection criteria.. He demonstrated that the v,7ebsite has a reasonable response rate. Board Member Olds asked where the data was compiled from. • Board Member Max responded that he used probably about 90 books by universities and arboreta around the country as a resource. Environmental Policy Board/May 7, 2007 Page 3 of 6 -25-