Harbor Springs Tree Board Meeting 2.19.2021

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Tree Advisory Board Meeting — February 19, 2021 ATTENDEES: Dana Mulder, Karen Stroud, Susan Stewart, Becky Rothlisberger, and Nancy Rondell were present by Zoom from Harbor Springs; Rondell said she was at Perry Farm. • The board approved the December 18 meeting minutes with a minor change concerning a reference to charts and graphics that had been moved to the appendix. The motion passed by roll-call vote. • The board recommended that City Council approve the Tree Plan after additions are made to explain street trees, rights-of-way, and other city-owned trees, along with a working glossary. Members emphasized the plan is a planning document, not a legal authorization to prune or remove trees. Staff said the goal is to take the plan to council March 1. • The 565 Main vegetation-management issue remains on hold. Staff said the property owner planned to contact Ben about what trimming may still be possible; the item will not return to the next packet unless the owner asks to be placed on the agenda. • The board adopted its 2021 schedule: meetings will continue on the third Friday of each month at noon. Susan Stewart was elected chair for the year, and Dana Mulder was elected vice chair. • Members discussed a broad 2021 work program, including Tree City USA certification, ReLeaf grant planting, identifying the true cost and funding sources for planting and maintaining trees, irrigation needs, removal-request standards, public education, a list of species to avoid, tree-base protection, inventory and mapping work, and possible restrictions on clear-cutting. Staff will compile and circulate a working goals list. • For future planting, the board discussed ReLeaf-funded trees near City Hall and the spillway. The grant coordinator is expected to make a site visit in mid to late April, with planting hoped for in early June. Members also raised downtown/Main Street, Lake Street, Ann Street, and other areas that may have received less attention, but postponed specific site decisions. Worth watching: • Whether City Council approves the Tree Plan and the planned clarifying additions. • Follow-through on the ReLeaf site visit and proposed early-June planting. • Council’s review of Main Street streetscape bids, which could affect downtown tree decisions. Upcoming: The board plans to revisit specific tree-planting locations at its next regular meeting. Why it matters: The board is moving from plan development toward decisions on tree protection, funding, public education, and where new trees will be planted.

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