TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
TREE BOARD MEETING
MARCH 13, 2020

Members Present:
Marc Christensen, Chairman/Community Services Director
Shawn Warnke, City Manager
Paul Fulgham, Public Works Director
Rusty Scoffield, Public Works Lead
Lynn Green, Parks Superintendent
Lyle Holmgren, City Councilmember
Linsey Nessen, Recorder

Chairman Christensen called the Tree Board Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The meeting was held March 13, 2020 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman Christensen, Manager Warnke, Director Fulgham, Lead Scoffield, Superintendent Green, Councilmember Holmgren, and Recorder Nessen. Also in attendance was Bill Bourgeous from Intertape Polymer Group.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the March 13, 2020 agenda. Motion seconded by Superintendent Green. Vote: Chairman Christensen – aye, Manager Warnke – aye, Director Fulgham – aye, Lead Scoffield – aye Superintendent Green – aye and City Councilmember Holmgren – aye. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—No minutes to approve at this time.

3. New Business:

a. Discussion of planting trees at cemetery

Director Fulgham said I put together a map of where the trees could go. We talked about moving them off the road and into the center. I made two versions—one has the 60-foot space and the other has 120-foot spacing as far as the north and south trees go. Down the center there would be 46 trees if we did the 60-foot spacing and up around the north end. We will stay away from the flag area so it can remain open. Councilmember Holmgren said I went to Call’s Nursery and they are good to work with. The issue we have with the Kentucky Coffee trees is availability. Everywhere has one or two so we might have to go with several different sources. Amy May with Tree Utah also suggested Honey Locust. They get big and are airy to let the sun through. We want the pod-less varieties. The Linden trees are another good one, which include Little Leaf and Redmond. Maybe we need to step back until we know what tree is available. We could go with the Japanese Zelkova, which are planted by the Splash Pad. They grow fast, but not broad. Lead Scoffield said the ones by the skate park are a Tulip tree and they have taken off. A lot of it depends on the ground though. The Board agreed it would be a good idea to have a combination of trees to create a visual variety.

Director Fulgham said if you want more continuity, that north edge is a good place. The sprinklers are coming the other way. This would provide an area where a tree is more apt to survive. Lead Scoffield said trees could be planted in empty unsold lots throughout, but would rather put them where graves are already established instead of where they will have to one day dig. Mr. Bourgeous said I like the random ones, straight lines and rows is old school. That way if a tree or two dies it looks more natural. Councilmember Holmgren said it would be easier to come in with four or five Kentucky Coffee trees and then four or five Honey Locust. Director Fulgham said make a decision on how many you can get or want to get and then Lead Scoffield can stake out the spots where there are vacant lots that will not have to be dug up and reserve those for City use. He could also determine where the sprinkler system is on site.

Mr. Bourgeous said my boss wants to donate $2,000 to buy trees. We have not heard back from Rocky Mountain Power. We will contact Call’s Nursery and have them deliver those to you. Director Fulgham said we could dig for the tree and put it in the hole while the volunteers help backfill. That way we do not have to worry about public in the way when we start. Once we have them on the map I would put them in our records for future use. Then we know what we have and where. Councilmember Holmgren said budget wise we are looking at $400 to $500 a tree. Lead Scoffield said we want the biggest caliper trees we can get because of the sprinklers. Director Fulgham said depending on which plan we go with that is either 46 trees or 25 trees. I think 46 is really dense and I would keep it closer to 25 unless they have money they just want to give us. Coordinator Christensen suggested having Councilmember Holmgren and Lead Scoffield stake out the locations of the trees. Lead Scoffield and Director Fulgham could put them in single plots that are harder to sell. That information will be emailed to the Board for their review. Councilmember Holmgren said he would contact Tree Utah and let them know the City needs 25 trees. He also suggested some Crab trees or something showier along the front. Coordinator Christensen said they would ask for five of each species of trees (Tulip, Honey Locust, Linden, and Kentucky Coffee). See what you can get in the bigger caliper. Councilmember Holmgren said we do not have to do it all this year. Amy May just wants a plan from us. I will call her today and fill her in on what we have decided.

b. Discussion and consideration of spring tree plantings

The Board said as far as other tree plantings, they will continue on with the plan from last year.

c. Discussion and consideration of tree removals

Coordinator Christensen said we have a few we talked about last year. There are some at North Park on the west side, as well as a couple at Meadow Park that are dead on the north side of the playground.

d. Update on Tree City USA

Coordinator Christensen said we got Tree City USA for the 10th year. This plan we have at the cemetery will help us get it for the 11th year since having the budget is the biggest thing, as well as doing things on Earth Day and Arbor Day. We appreciate Intertape Polymer Group.

Lead Scoffield said let us get them in before it gets hot; now is the optimal time. Councilmember Holmgren said we will get what is available and shoot for 20 to 25 trees. The hard part is knowing what the contribution will be from Ivory Homes and Tree Utah, but I will find out.

Superintendent Green said we have four other trees that we need to put in, but I will just take care of those if you order them. They will go in at Jeanie Stevens Park.

4. Comments/Reports: none

a. Parks & Recreation Director – Marc Christensen
b. Public Works Director – Paul Fulgham
c. City Manager – Shawn Warnke
d. City Council – Lyle Holmgren
e. Parks Superintendent – Lynn Green

5. Public comments: none

6. Adjournment

Motion by Superintendent Green to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m.

The undersigned duly acting and appointed Recorder for Tremonton City Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Tree Board held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Jessica Tanner.

Dated this 11th day of February, 2021.

______________________________
Linsey Nessen, CITY RECORDER

*Utah Code 52-4-202, (6) allows for a topic to be raised by the public and discussed by the public body even though it was not included in the agenda or advance public notice given; however, no final action will be taken.