CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Vice-Chair Tina Gauthier called the meeting of the Urban Forestry Advisory Board to order at 12:19 PM, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The following members answered roll call: Tina Gauthier, Damon Bunting and Kim Stoltz. John Damberger, Kelly Solberg, Brandi Shortman and Kurt Schattee were absent. All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

VISITORS:

None

CONSENT AGENDA:

Vice Chair Gauthier tabled the approval of the January 10, 2012 UFAB Minutes due to a lack of a quorum.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

2012 Tree City USA Grant

The Urban Forestry Advisory Board was awarded $750.00 from the Tree City USA Grant. A major portion of this grant will be used to plant trees in the upcoming Community Garden. Member Bunting shared the plans drawn up by Mike Shipman from the NRCS. According to the plans there will be a row of American Plum, Common Choke Cherry and Saskatoon Serviceberry for a total of three rows. These plans have yet to be presented to the School Board for approval.

The remainder of the grant will be used to purchase the Arbor Day tree.

2012 Urban Forestry Program Grant

Vice-Chair Gauthier informed the board that the Urban Forestry Program Grant has been awarded and ordering of the funded items can begin. The Peter Kolb workshop will be funded by this grant.

NEW BUSINESS:

Peter Kolb Workshop

Member Bunting informed the board that Peter Kolb will be in Cut Bank on March 15, 2012 for the Tree Workshop. Member Bunting has extended invitations to various people and businesses he felt would have an interest and benefit from this workshop.

The workshop will be divided into two workshops. The first workshop will be from 3:00-5:00 PM. All interested parties will meet at the Cut Bank Voting Center and go on a tour to various predetermined trees in and around Cut Bank and receive suggestions and ideas on how to care for them. The second workshop will be from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Cut Bank Voting Center and will cover proper care and pruning of trees and vines. Vice-Chair Gauthier stressed the importance of all UFAB members attending the workshop.

Small Town Tree Board Retreat

Vice-Chair Gauthier informed the board that March 30-31, 2012 the Small Town Tree Board Retreat will be in Kalispell, Montana. The retreat will begin Friday night at 6:00 PM and Saturday at 8:30 AM. Vice-Chair Gauthier will be giving a presentation on Saturday at 1:00 PM on how the UFAB has decided to address educating the citizens of Cut Bank on Urban Forestry.

CORRESPONDENCE:

None

ADJOURNMENT:

There being no further business, Vice-Chair Gauthier closed the meeting at 12:58 PM.