Tree Board Meeting 2.17.23

Detailed briefing

Tree Advisory Board Meeting — February 17, 2023 ATTENDEES: The transcript records Patrick White, Theresa Johnson, Deanna Mulder, Jamie Melke, and Gail Brown as present; it also states that a quorum was present. • The board approved the previous meeting’s minutes. It then reviewed a first-draft street-tree plan intended to move city planting from ad hoc decisions toward planning by corridors and neighborhoods. Members emphasized that the document was not ready for ratification. • Discussion focused on how future street-tree work should be prioritized. Members asked for clearer criteria, DPW and utility input, and opportunities for public comment before decisions are made. Suggested criteria included tree health, lack of shade, traffic-calming benefits, and conditions such as damaged or diseased trees. • The board agreed to revisit street-tree phases at its March meeting. Members are to review planning units, develop possible prioritization criteria, and bring their views on what should come first. The draft is also to be sent to Lucas/DPW for review, with a request that he participate in the March discussion if possible. • For the M-119 entrance corridor, members discussed replacing trees in a stretch that currently has none. The proposed planting palette included Niagara white cedar, crabapple, and black tupelo. The discussion favored a staggered arrangement and keeping trees on the street side of the power lines. A Cleveland/Callery pear was removed from the proposed list after concerns were raised about invasiveness; another member noted uncertainty about whether Ohio’s cited concerns apply in Michigan. • The board selected Kiwanis Park as the location for its 2023 Arbor Day event and discussed Saturday, May 27. Members will return in March with ideas for a theme and activities, including pruning instruction, tree climbing, crafts, walks, scavenger hunts, or tree bingo. • The board approved nominations of Ellen Taylor and Theresa as co-chairs and plans to check in during June about the arrangement. The transcript does not clearly identify Ellen’s surname or clarify whether Theresa is Theresa Johnson. Worth watching: • Whether DPW review changes the draft corridor map, phases, or project timing. • Whether the board establishes public-input steps before adopting the street-tree plan. • Whether the M-119 planting concept advances to a formal plan, funding request, or implementation decision. Upcoming: March meeting — street-tree phases and criteria, 2023 goals, and Arbor Day theme/activity planning. Why it matters: The board is laying groundwork for where, how, and with what species Harbor Springs will replace and expand public street trees.

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