Horticulture and Forestry Advisory Board 2006 01 05

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• • • Horticultural & Forestry Advisory Board Minutes January 5, 2006 Page 3 of 5 Chris reported that the plant identification index has been completed to put on the kiosks. Chris will bring the index to the February meeting. (1) City Council Meeting Timing for reporting to the City Council on HFAB's activities was discussed. Chris and Dave Clabots will look into getting HFAB on the Council's agenda and report back to HFAB in February. (2) Fundraising strategies for the Arboretum — Funding and Grant Opportunities Chris Lichty reported that the Department would know around the first of February whether the CTC grant request was accepted. David Russell introduced the topic of the "giving brick ". Discussion ensued about the idea, the economics and what the target price should be for the "donation ". Generally, Board members favorably received the idea. It was suggested that an entity should be set up to accept donations for the Arboretum such as the "Friends of the Arboretum ". The "giving brick" or similar fund raising concept should be considered as an action item for 2006 and would include working with the City Attorney to set up an entity for accepting donations. • IX. Forestry Ordinance Chris Lichty presented the history and an update on the status of the Forestry Ordinance. Discussion about the underfunding of maintenance needs for the city landscape /parks. HFAB requested that Dave Clabots express the Board's concern about this. Caryl Shields suggested that language be placed in the ordinance that specifies classes of materials that are acceptable for plantings in city parks and other areas to encourage better selection of species relative to considerations for maintenance and appropriateness along several dimensions. Board members concurred with her concerns and recommended that the objectives presented by Caryl might be achieved through the writing of the guidance documents rather than placing this type of technical information in an ordinance. It was discussed that such documents may be an effective means for influencing the City's landscape planning management processes. No action was taken. X. Open Government Charter Amendment HFAB is awaiting the training. XI. McCaslin /Hwy. 36 Interchange The landscape plans for the RTD area have been requested by Chris and have not been received yet. Chris contacted Heather at RTD and stated that she said she would get them to him. Chris is to report progress at the next HFAB meeting.