--- ## author: Linnea Graffunder-Bartels date: D:20260616095414-05'00' --- ## AGENDA ## Tree Board The next regular Tree Board meeting will be held September 15, 2026 @ 5 PM at the Discovery Center. ## REGULAR MEETING June 16, 2026 ## 5:00 PM ## Discovery Center ## Amended ## 1. CALL TO ORDER ## 2. CALL OF ROLL ## 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA ## 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. March 17, 2026 ## 6. OPEN FORUM ## 7. TREE BOARD REVIEW ## a. OLD BUSINESS ## b. NEW BUSINESS ## i. Tree Trek Event ## 8. OTHER ## a. Staff Liaison Update(s)* ## b. Board Member Update(s)* ## c. Council Liaison Update(s)* ## 9. ADJOURNMENT *Items marked with an asterisk have no accompanying materials. ## REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ## OAKDALE TREE BOARD ## MARCH 17, 2026 ## CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Oakdale Tree Board was held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Oakdale City Hall, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair Mike Bender at 5:00 PM. ## CALL OF ROLL On a call of the roll, the following were present: ## Chair: Mike Bender ## Board Members: Laura Kittel, Vice Chair ## Dallas Pierson ## Michelle Rietgraf ## Nick Kantola Also Present: Cory Tietz, Public Works Director and Staff Liaison ## Tim Mehlhorn, City Forester ## Kari Moore, Council Liaison ## Deb Moeller, Washington County Master Gardner ## Absent: Glen Giacoletto ## Mike Saarela ## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## APPROVAL OF AGENDA ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER KANTOLA, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER ## PIERSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES – Motion carries ## APPROVAL OF MINUTES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER PIERSON, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER ## KANTOLA TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR JANUARY 20, 2026, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES – Motion carries ## TREE BOARD MINUTES ## MARCH 17, 2026 ## PAGE TWO ## OPEN FORUM Chair Bender invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. ## OLD BUSINESS ## i. Finalize 2026 Work Plan Chair Bender shared that he found two educational-related videos on tree planting that may be useful for residents. The Board discussed whether these videos should be made available through the City website. Board Member Rietgraf asked whether, if approved, a link to the video could be included in the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway email or in the packets distributed at the event. The Board then discussed alternatives to the Buckthorn Removal Event. Board Member Rietgraf suggested having a booth at the Farmers Market. Public Works Director Cory Tietz cautioned that the Farmers Market is a weekly event, and the Board would need consistent attendance if they were to host a dedicated table. Chair Bender reported that having a weekly table would be difficult but using the community booth which allows selected dates beginning in June, could be more feasible. Mr. Tietz emphasized that the City Council would expect multiple appearances and asked the Board to consider what materials, displays, or information they would provide, and how this would benefit the community. Chair Bender suggested highlighting the work of the Tree Board and offering volunteer signups at the community booth. Board Member Rietgraf expressed a preference for a Tree Trek Event over recurring Farmers Market attendance, as it would better use the Board’s time and expertise. Council Member Moore supported replacing the Buckthorn Removal Event with a Tree Trek. Board Member Kantola agreed and proposed a Fall walk through the Nature Preserve, possibly incorporating a Fall Cleanup. Mr. Tietz recommended selecting a date so details could be finalized at the next meeting. The Board selected October 10, 2026, for the Tree Trek. City Forester Tim Mehlhorn suggested making the event kid-friendly. Final event planning will occur at the next meeting on June 16, 2026. ## NEW BUSINESS i. None ## TREE BOARD MINUTES ## MARCH 17, 2026 ## PAGE THREE ## OTHER ## i. Staff Liaison Update(s) Mr. Mehlhorn and Mr. Tietz reported on the following: • Mr. Mehlhorn said the City is still working on Emerald Ash Borer tree removals in the parks and along the boulevard. • Mr. Mehlhorn went over the trees for the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway: Northern Pin Oak, Snowsweet Apple, Norway Spruce, and Hackberry. • Mr. Tietz reminded the Board that City staff will need help with the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway on April 25 th . • All Forestry staff members recently attended a short course on shade trees. • The Forestry division is also working on removing trees from retention ponds as they are not intended to have trees in them by design. ## ii. Board Member Update(s) Board Member Kantola is stepping down from the Tree Board; this is his last meeting. Chair Bender thanked him for all his time and help with the Tree Board. Chair Bender outlined the possibility of a tree project for 2027. With the loss of Ash Trees to Emerald Ash Borer, this tree project could help residents with physical or financial limitations plant trees on private property. ## iii. Council Liaison Update(s) Council Member Moore confirmed the sign up for the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway opens April 1 st at 8 AM. The biggest project City Council is working on currently is recruiting for a new City Administrator. ## ADJOURNMENT ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY BOARD MEMBER KANTOLA, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER ## RIETGRAF TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 17, 2026, REGULAR MEETING OF THE TREE BOARD AT ## 6:10 PM. 5 AYES – Motion carries ## MEETING ADJOURNED. Respectfully submitted, ## Katie La Nasa, Administrative Assistant ## TREE BOARD MEMO ## To: Oakdale Tree Board ## Meeting Date: June 16, 2026 ## Request(s): Tree Trek Event Discussion ## Prepared/Presented: Cory Tietz, Public Works Director ## BACKGROUND During the March 17, 2026, Tree Board meeting, the 2026 Tree Board Work Plan was adopted, serving as a guide to engage the Tree Board with the community throughout the calendar year. In the 2026 Work Plan, the Tree Board introduced a new community event, the Fall Tree Trek, designed to offer hands-on educational opportunities on different tree species in our community. With the event held at the Oakdale Nature Preserve, the Tree Board shall discuss the event in more detail, defining its scope, the educational opportunities it will provide, and the resources needed to ensure its success. ## TREE BOARD ACTION REQUESTED It is requested that the Tree Board discuss and finalize the event details and logistics so that the City's communications department can initiate promotion of the event.