Tree Board Meeting 12.17.2021

Detailed briefing

Tree Advisory Board Meeting — December 17, 2021 ATTENDEES: Sue Stewart, Karen Stroud Donnelly, Dana Mulder, Patrick Wise, and Nancy Rondell. - The board discussed a vacancy and encouraged interested people to apply. Members said the board does not require tree expertise alone; interest and enthusiasm are also valuable. Discussion also raised whether an alternate or limited nonresident role could help bring in specialized expertise, but no change was decided. - Members reviewed the new Tree Canopy newspaper outreach effort. The first article was described positively, and the group discussed a January follow-up that could promote Friends of the Trees, recruit a board member, and cover winter-friendly topics such as crabapple trees, wildlife value, and tree maintenance. - Staff reported that the Tree City USA application, submitted when applications opened in September, remained under state review and showed as pending forester review in the online portal. Staff said they would follow up again in the new year. Members noted that agency staffing shortages may be contributing to the delay. - For Arbor Day Fest 2022, the board discussed using Saturday, May 28 as a planning target. Possible formats and locations included a tree walk or other activity at Kiwanis Park, Zorn Park, or another location. Members discussed making the event different from the prior year rather than centering it solely on tree planting. No final site or event plan was recorded. - The DDA is considering a larger Main Street tree replacement project. Staff said the initial idea of moving some trees to parks was not practical, and the DDA is also considering fewer trees because sidewalk areas receive substantial sun. Possible parking kiosks could also affect tree locations. The Tree Board is expected to review any major landscape changes before DDA or City Council action. - For future donated trees, the board discussed focusing first on State Street and then Lake Street. Members reiterated that the board's current goal is maintenance, not a major new planting effort, though donations may still require planting decisions. Marina Park was not identified for new trees because its final design remains unresolved. Worth watching: - Whether the Tree City USA application receives state approval after pending review. - Whether May 28 becomes the final Arbor Day Fest date and which location is selected. - When the DDA brings its Main Street tree replacement concept to the Tree Board. Upcoming: The next scheduled meeting was identified as January 21, with regular meetings planned for third Fridays at noon. Why it matters: The board is shaping how Harbor Springs maintains, replaces, and communicates about public trees while balancing safety, downtown infrastructure, and neighborhood planting needs.

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