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Menomonie Urban Forestry Board Minutes Wednesday, February 18, 2026 @ 1:00pm – Council Chambers 1st Floor - City Hall –in Menomonie, Wisconsin Committee Members: Naomi Cummings (1.0 hrs.) Robert Giede (Absent) Keith Gilland (7.0 hrs.) Barbara Hauck (Absent) Monika Herrmann (1.0 hrs.) Liz Usborne (Chair) (2.0 hrs.) Dave Williams (1.0 hrs.) Lee Schwebs (Absent) Porter Swartz (1.0 hr.) Others present: Megen Hines- Environmental Program Coordinator, Derek Kahl – City Forester, Zariah Whitacre – Communications Specialist, Judy Zimmerman - Guest and Tammy Eckert- Minutes. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by Chair Liz Usborne. Roll call was taken by passing around the sign-up sheet and recording volunteer hours. Minutes were sent to the committee prior to the meeting and were reviewed. Public comments: None Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Monika Herrmann to approve the January 21, 2026 Urban Forestry Board meeting minutes and seconded by Naomi Cummings. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: Urban Forestry DNR Grant Project- Hines's report has been submitted and is currently under review. We expect to hear back within 30 to 60 days. 2026 Field Day for Tree Planting- Gilland reports his goal is to have the area clear by Spring Break/Mid-March. Progress is ongoing. Hines has ordered and paid for 300 trees and bushes for spring delivery to the DNR. Board discussion includes; how to prepare coordination of volunteers, staff, and materials. Usborne suggested building 4x4 foot cages to protect multiple trees at once, noting on-site assembly and possibility of using a rented "spud" to keep the process efficient. All materials, including chi cken wire and T -posts, will be funded by the UFB budget. Gilland’s students may be able to assist if help is needed- contingent upon their schedules/availability . The Urban Forestry Board will set the specific planting date once Hines confirms the delivery window in the Spring . UW-Stout Campus Exterior Development Committee Update- Gilland reports the application process is currently underway within another group. GIS work for the ongoing tree inventory continues. It is a work in progress. Tree Planting/Tree Care Door Hanger- Communication Specialist Zaria Whitacre and Megen Hines presented a flyer to the board for review. Discussion for additions/subtractions ensued and the UFB will review the changes for the next meeting in March. The goal is to have the final version by late Spring to allow for a one-week printing turnaround. Arbor Day Event Planning- March Urban Forestry Board meeting priority will be to finalize planning for the Arbor Day event. The agenda will include selecting the Friend of Forestry award recipient, determining the event location, and confirming speakers. Once the award recipient is chosen, the board will finalize the location, potentially hosting the event at the winner’s property. Hines will provide the Arbor Day packet at the Celebration and has reminded us that nominees can also be submitted via the online form. NEW BUSINESS: Potential Urban Forestry Board Vacancy: Hines reached out to Board Member Bob Giede with no response from him. As his seat is now up for renewal, the Board will proceed with filling the vacancy. Please note that the appointee must be a resident of the City of Menomonie and once a candidate is identified, the appointment will need to go through the City Council for approval. Parking Lot Items added: Discussion focused on the creation of a new member welcome packet. Usborne & Hines are looking for feedback on content and recruitment strategies. Specifically for any insight or resources from all Board Members. Urban Forester Report: Forester Kahl reports there have been 145 scheduled removals for the year. They are currently trimming in North Menomonie. Currently, at Wolske Bay work is underway removing five oaks along the bank side. They are cleaning out the bank and removing ash trees too, with the goal of finishing this area tomorrow (February 19). Additionally, at Lakeside Park there are only one or two ash trees remaining to be removed. At Butch’s Bay, many trees in this area require removal, but the boulevard trees remain our current priority. City Council Report: - 9th Ward: Sydney Brennan has resigned; Chad Schlough was appointed to finish remainder of the current term and will be up for reelection in 2027. -Mayor Randy Knaack and Matthew Crowe win the primary election for the April Election. Items for Next Meeting Agenda: - Arbor Day Planning: Top priority for the newt meeting. - UW-Stout Campus Update: An update on campus forestry activities. - Tree Planting Care Door Hanger: Review of the draft/design. - Board Vacancy: Discussion regarding the current vacancy and the use of a Doodle poll. - Galloway Creek Site Visit: Discussion regarding a site walk-through to plan for upcoming plantings. Next Meeting : March 18, 2026 - City Council Chambers 1 st Floor – City Hall. Adjournment: Keith Gilland made a motion to adjourn ; seconded by Monika Herrman n. Minutes taken and submitted by Tammy Eckert.