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Menomonie Urban Forestry Board Minutes Wednesday, September 16 2026 @ 1:00pm – Council Chambers 1st Floor - City Hall –in Menomonie, Wisconsin Committee Members Naomi Cummings (Absent) Keith Gilland (2.0 hrs.) Barbara Hauck (2.0 hrs.) Monika Herrmann (1.0 hrs.) Liz Usborne (Chair) (2.0 hrs.) Dave Williams (2.0 hrs.) Ryland Erdman (1.0 hrs.) Porter Swartz (2.0 hrs.) Nolan Dowd (2.0 hrs.) Others present: David Schofield, Tammy Eckert Roll Call: Chair Usborne called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken, and volunteer hour logs were distributed to all attending board members for completion. Public comments: None Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve the Urban Forestry Board Meeting minutes from the August 2026, was made by Erdman and seconded by Swartz. No objections received. OLD BUSINESS: 2027 Arbor Day Speaker Update : Usborne reported that Evan Larson is fully booked for the 2027 event; however, he remains a candidate for future engagements. While a suggestion was made via Abby Kr ause (Wisconsin DNR) to explore Minnesota DNR resources, the board agreed to prioritize Wisconsin -based resources. Swartz proposed presenting on the board’s progress within the city and highlighting the community benefits of trees. Dowd suggested incorporating local history, such as logging, pioneer, and Indigenous historical connections. Hauck questioned the public interest in tree replacement efforts maybe the public would be interested in helping. She also proposed additional topics such as "Forest Bathing." Erdman suggested distributing saplings to local students . The board expressed a preference for more structured internal planning rather than relying primarily on external speakers. Ideas were also presented to expand the celebration from a single -day event into a tree -themed week or month to increase public engagement. Additional event details have been placed in the parking lot for future brainstorming. 2027 Forestry Budget Update : Schofield reports that all initial budget requests have been submitted and will now move through the approval process with the Administrator, Mayor, and City Council. The initial draft is scheduled for October 5th. The current financial outlook is quite bleak. The preliminary request is for all departments to hold the line on funding. NEW BUSINESS: City Landscape Ordinance Discussion: Schofield reviewed the ordinance with the board. Specifically in the Building Plan Review process Schofield noted that it would require the board to review every individual plan could prove slow and cumbersome. Viewing all incoming building plans would require more frequent and unscheduled meetings. Liz raised whether the Urban Forestry board's oversight mandate ordinance needs updating if regular plan reviews are expected. Schofield suggested a review of section 9-9 may be appropriate to address species restrictions and prevent monocultures. In regard to species diversity & restrictions Dowd suggested adding language to the ordinance to prohibit planting single-species monocultures on individual properties to mitigate risk from species-specific diseases. Additionally, update needs were noted for the approved tree list. Public nuisance and restricted species (such as burning bushes) were discussed, noting the complexity introduced by cultivars. Herrmann spoke to maintenance & quality control: currently, the ordinance does not require a maintenance plan. Gilland emphasized the need for a common-sense check to identify problem species early in the review process. No motions were made. Parking Lot Items: Review and change of Urban Forestry Section 9-9 Ordinance as far as the process (vs. reviewing plans). Urban Forester Report: Stump grinding continues for another week and a half. City Forester Kahl expects 74 trees to be delivered approximately September 28 th. Twelve to fifteen citizens who had trees removed and stumps ground in their boulevard are interested in a tree being planted in its place. City Council Report: Council Member Erdman ha d no report for the Board. Next Meeting Date: Oct 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. City Council Chambers 1 st Floor – City Hall – Menomonie, Wisconsin Adjournment: Hauck made a motion to adjourn ; seconded by Gilland. Meeting adjourned. Minutes: T. Eckert