Tree Advisory Board March 15, 2024

Detailed briefing

TREE ADVISORY BOARD — MARCH 15, 2024 ATTENDEES: Elliot Satora, Kathleen Leo, Dana Moler, Kathy Macho, and Teresa Johnson via Zoom. • The board approved a vice-chair appointment and approved the prior meeting minutes. The transcript is inconsistent about the vice-chair appointee’s name, so the name is omitted here. Staff also reported that Gail Brown resigned to spend more time on the DDA Board and that an interested applicant was expected to be considered at the March 18 City Council meeting. • The board canceled its April meeting rather than rescheduling it. Arbor Day planning will return in May. Ideas included holding an educational event at Zorn Park near the farmers market, adding speakers or a community barbecue, and potentially distributing a choice of tree seedlings to residents. These remain concepts, not approved plans. • An April 15 presentation to City Council is expected to focus mainly on the street-tree plan, summarize prior accomplishments and upcoming work, and request support for approximately 12 trees. The board agreed that Lake Street should be the first focus. Staff would determine exact planting locations based on maintenance needs. • Members reviewed a preliminary pocket-forest project for school property. Proposed goals include education, community involvement, stewardship, and increased tree canopy using native canopy trees, understory plants, and ground cover. The board has not selected a location, design, age group, planting density, schedule, or funding source. Further work depends on confirmation and information from the school superintendent. • Potential pocket-forest funding sources discussed included a Community Forestry Grant requiring a one-to-one match and a DTE Energy Foundation grant of up to $4,000 with no match indicated. No grant application was authorized. The board also wants to determine whether an existing school forest management plan can inform the project. • Harborview Park tree replacement and screening were discussed, but no planting decision was made. Members want broader park plans—including paths, seating, possible pavilion space, views, and landscaping—to develop before trees are placed. Staff also noted unfinished right-of-way planting near M-119 and said the funding source still needs to be checked. Worth watching: 1. Whether City Council supports the proposed funding request for approximately 12 Lake Street trees. 2. Whether the school confirms a pocket-forest location and participation. 3. Upcoming policy proposals on vegetation management and replacement requirements for healthy public trees that are removed. Upcoming: City Council presentation planned for April 15; April Tree Advisory Board meeting canceled; May 17 was identified for the next meeting and further Arbor Day and pocket-forest discussion. Why it matters: The board is linking near-term street-tree planting with longer-term canopy replacement, education, and clearer tree-protection policies.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.