Harbor Springs Tree Advisory Board Meeting August 20, 2021

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Tree Advisory Board — August 20, 2021 ATTENDEES: Patrick Wise, Nancy Rondell, Karen Straw, Dana Mulder, Sue Stewart; Ben participated remotely. • The board approved the July 16 meeting minutes after correcting the description of that meeting from a “special meeting” to a regular meeting. No other changes were identified. • Members raised concerns about dead trees on Main Street. The board discussed having Victor ask Ben to assess which trees are dead or may recover. If the Downtown Development Authority has ideas for replacement trees, those can be sent to Victor for possible board discussion or city action. • The group reviewed a draft public-outreach framework for city trees. Topics proposed for seasonal outreach included tree-care responsibilities, fall and spring preparation, tree bases and protection from damage, planting and maintenance guidelines, priority species, donations and grants, and volunteer opportunities. Members emphasized tying outreach topics to the city tree plan and the board’s bylaws. • The board discussed a recurring Harbor Light feature tentatively called “Tree Corner,” which could include species profiles, tree-related announcements, and common questions. Karen and Dana agreed to prepare an initial article, with hemlock woolly adelgid and checking trees for pests among the possible subjects. Drafts are to go through Victor for distribution and input. • Ben warned that the city has no dedicated maintenance budget for its existing urban forest. He said grant funding may support planting or inventory updates, but planting grants require an established, city-funded maintenance program. He described current tree work as mainly reactive rather than preventive and suggested outreach could help make the case for maintenance funding. • Members agreed to revisit the bylaws. Topics include replacing or clarifying “education” terminology, the requirement to meet monthly, attendance rules, and whether remote participation or voting is legally permitted. The discussion did not resolve those questions. Worth watching: • Whether Main Street tree conditions are assessed and whether replacement recommendations move forward. • Whether the Tree Corner article and broader outreach plan are completed and routed through Victor. • Whether the board pursues a dedicated maintenance-budget request and bylaw changes. Upcoming: Victor was expected to publicize openings on city boards in September and October; the Tree Advisory Board plans a bylaw review at a future meeting. Why it matters: The board is linking public tree outreach with the practical need to fund and maintain Harbor Springs’ existing urban forest.

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