Conservation Advisory Council, Regular Meeting

1. 0:15Reading comes to order for me on yay. Yay. Yay. Yay. All in favor, yes. Who do you I I yay. Okay, here we go. Um First of all, the votes already is accepting minutes from last month. Um Anyone comments on last month's minutes? No. Thank you very much. Okay, all in favor of accepting minutes. I. There we go. Yay. Uh membership is everyone I think Emily has signed the oath because I saw her email address pop up. Everyone else who you signed, you did your oath again, right? Okay, great. Play this again. Done deal. I still think we're only seven. 1 2 3 4.5. We're only seven, six. 1 2 3 4 5. See, I have a seven. We still have two positions available. Okay. So, keep that in the back of your head. Um okay, great. And uh we're going to do climate uh smart climate answer this for a few moments. All right, first of all,
2. 1:19we'd like to welcome the Earth Law Center back to our meeting. Yay. Thanks for coming. Thanks for helping us out. Yay. Um here to talk and give us some guidance um in terms of the uh tree ordinance that we're trying to pass. Um what have you seen work? What is some of your advice? Uh we're kind of doing this a little uh we're we're out of a limb here uh regarding our tree ordinance. So, if any advice you can give Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. advice you can give would be very helpful. Okay. I I I don't know. Shall I start? Should I start? Sure, go for it. You're the first speaker. >> do you hear me well? Okay. Um so, if you go I shared a report and I think the tree ordinance, if I'm not
3. 2:21wrong, is at the It's like one of the last the last point. Um so, one of the things that the way we we did to to include the parts that you can see highlighted in yellow is basically we took some other ordinance our existing ordinances to see what was missing and what could be included. So, the first thing that we did was include the green amendment framework that it's in the constitution. Obviously, this is something that we do because it's the period that we are living. Um but it's up to you. That's what we say like optional. But we think it's a good way of also educating people. So, when you you pass, for example, this ordinance, people are going to read it and know, okay, like we have these rights. Um also included a small paragraph about uh the the natural, let's say, the environmental benefits that these that the tree have for the community.
4. 3:25Um because the first part of uh section two that is legislative intent mentions only the benefits for the people. So, it's including also the benefits that brings to the environment. Um that will be the first one. Um then for definitions in section three we think including two or actually street tree fund, I think it's mentioned after, it's not in the definitions. So including mature tree and street tree fund in the definitions would be something that we think could be would be important. Um first because of the benefits that mature trees have and the time and like basically the money that takes for to sustain to maintain this type of trees. Um so I think it's important to make that differentiation. And then street tree fund is I think having that in the first in the
5. 4:27the section three before going to to section four where the fund is mentioned is also important. Um one of the things to highlight is that in the street tree fund we also included um the the the the the the goal of the street tree fund should be um also education. Um outreach, risk assessment. So we include some uh goals there as well. Then we have section four. Um so we think like what we think it's missing and maybe this is because we live the way we are a nonprofit that works with nature but um is that maybe there is no like what it was missing is that maybe it's having more emphasis or like we added some or our suggestions were or intend to incorporate um
6. 5:34also uh damages, guard, curb, transplant, removal. So it's like more broad than the one that you have. Um and the those are the corporations in section four. So, it's like we we related to the permit requirement for tree removal. Um And this this was partially taken from our ordinances. So, I think this could This could be maybe it's more um It limits more. It's more broad, but I I understand. I don't know how is the um if this is too much maybe at this point, but we think in other municipalities this type of of limitations are in are currently included in ordinances and they could work. Um Then diddly-diddly-dee section uh five the
7. 6:37same. And like one of the most important things that we included is we changed the the enforcement and the penalty, sorry. Um because we think they are too low. And there is one of the things that we changed that it's like including a mature tree. So, it's not the same removing a young tree than a mature tree. Um so, we increased the the penalties there. Um Also something that we think it could be uh that it's something it's not This is something that we innovated because it's not in other ordinances. Uh but it's used in in policies uh to basically have a greater accountability in the town that it's having a public uh record of the places where the trees are removed. So, people know the areas where this is happening and creates um public
8. 7:41engagement, public awareness, and accountability. Um Sometimes our contractors are the ones that remove these trees. So I really think it's it's also a good practice to include these kind of of records. So I think that's a summary of the things that we included in the tree ordinance. I don't know if you have any questions for us or comments. Did you Can you send that back to us with ordinance record comments or did you do that already or did I miss it? Yeah, so I I thought you had the Okay, yes. I I'll send it again. Let's see. Okay, sorry. I was really thinking that you had I'm so sorry. Let's see. I don't know that I sent the whiteboard. Here.
9. 9:07Let's see. Did you send it? I found it. Let's see. Yeah, I think she I'm on the 25th. Oh, yeah. Okay, sorry. I just I just found it. All right, hold on. Let's see. Sorry. Yes. Yes. Okay, sorry. Thank you, Maria. Yes. Did you find it? I can send it to you as well. I got it. I got it. Thank you. Thank you. I'm sorry. No, it's okay. The important thing is that now you have it. So, it's in the in the last um, section of the report. Mm. Got you. Great. That's a lot. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. No, no worries. So, then I can briefly mention what we did in the report. So, the first part is um, basically the arguments that we use uh, to to to support the idea of using nature-based solutions and the benefits
10. 10:09that have for cities. Um, we included um, like most like I would say all the data is science-based data. So, it's like all has been proven and it's not like just an idea of, okay, this could be effective. This has been proven and it's beneficial um, for cities. Uh, it's cost They are solutions that are cost-effective long-term. So, and they have been applied for in in other uh, towns. So, um, we think they are realistic. It's not like just uh, as an idea, an abstract idea. Um, and then we have the different policy recommendations for each of the of the issues that um, Oh, you asked us to support. Um, Wow. Okay. Um, Well, that's a lot for us to digest. digest.
11. 11:13I know you've been through one round of more than one round with the legal committee, right? In terms of the previous ordinance. Is there any updates based on the last conversation we had? No. I mean, where we're at now is the latest version that we had we sent over to Earth Law Institute for their comments. Now we Now we're looking at this again. Um So, in other municipalities that have passed tree ordinances about our size, what generally what works? The thing is that like yeah, um Is it someone we can talk to maybe in another municipality and we I I know that you uh I think we used um Durango and uh which one was it? And both like I think no, Boston no. Um we used two mainly two ordinances. Um in terms of what works,
12. 12:17um I think I cannot answer that with data. Like it's they have an idea or an opinion that of what works, but it's like I don't see and this is one of the things that we repeated in our report that it's like there is no actual like no one measures what it's working. That is why we propose doing this like basically start measuring like the incidents to see what works and what what doesn't work. Um you can start even like with a pilot project like like a pilot program um in small areas uh to see before starting with something mandatory or doing it like doing it with phases. But I can contact Where is my pen? I can I can put you guys in contact with um with the municipality that we talked to uh to build this draft. Where is my pen? Sorry, I'm looking for my pen. If that's okay with you.
13. 13:19All right. If that's all I totally like if we go this route, then it could always be a sunset. Like it could be a pilot tree ordinance. Yeah. All right. >> Worst case, like if that's what they're worried about. And see what happens. >> Yeah. We could have offered We could ask them if that makes them feel better. Yeah. Yeah, if you wouldn't mind maybe if we All right, if we talk to another municipality maybe give us some advice on what they've done. Um, you know, in the in the and see what see what works if there's any lessons learned that they have. But, um so this is amazing. Thank you so much. What is What can I ask you like what has like why the tree ordinances have um like a who's like what are the the the the critical points of the tree ordinance that um made that you still have like a draft and it's not like it hasn't passed. I'm trying to recall what the legal
14. 14:21committee was. We Yeah. Even just a whisper of a tree ordinance, um you know, gets tons of pushback from local residents. So, we So, what we what we've done is we said that the tree ordinance then only applies to uh public trees and not private trees so that um you know, no one will get a whack. Yeah, I think there's some concern about the board that was that was initially the tree board that was not having enough participation. Originally, we were going to have someone from each board who was represented and that seemed overly complicated for people's appetite. So, it kind of >> enforcement >> Who's going to enforce all of this? Mhm. That's a good question. Yeah. I mean, we we're a small municipality, so we don't have lots of resources for enforcement or creating another board of people. Things like that. Okay, but like what are the like the main arguments of why why
15. 15:23you have like the like for the pushback. I mean, it's because What what is the reason? What's the reason for the pushback? Oh, what's the pushback? Yeah. >> Yes. People people think we're going to tell them what to do with their trees. Okay. I don't know which one is good. Okay. Okay. So, I think one of the things that we mentioned in the in for each one of the recommendations for native plants is I have create this public engagement. Um There have like there's one municipality that started doing programs with schools, for example, to educate um and have like a program of volunteers. Um so, in terms of budget, even if you don't have budget, like having programs with volunteers and people that are interested with um education institutions or like well, schools,
16. 16:26universities, um those kinds of partnerships um help to at least start with something that is more like voluntary and move to a mandatory program. Sometimes that helps in terms of starting with these kind of audiences or or policies. Um Yeah. Getting buy-in from other groups. Right. Collaboration with other groups and public outreach to educate people about truly are and you know, what what we're trying to accomplish here. Not not just within the the city council realm, right? Right. Okay. So, um anyone else? Next steps? should we do? Yes. Well, I was at a meeting last week in Newburgh and one of the people in there speaking at this meeting about resilience in our
17. 17:30communities was the head of the Newburgh Parks Parks Conservancy and this is exactly what she was talking about making partnerships with other organizations for even tree planting. Uh, Rotary Club, uh, schools, uh, other non-profit organizations where they could get their membership involved uh, in in doing things. Uh, they also got uh, funding to um, uh, essentially bring on um, interns, what they referred to as environmental justice fellows, teenagers who would would work with uh, tree planting and other community operations. Um, which which was another interesting. Uh, they provided workshops for pruning, you know, how how do you prune your own trees, not the city right these. Uh, and they also made a comment that I
18. 18:33thought was kind of a a side a sidebar, but they mentioned they showed some photographs of trees that were planted fairly far in on private property, um, but they were planted by the group, by the Parks Conservancy and pointed out that they made a point of mentioning that they get funding for the tree planting uh, and if that tree when it's full grown will cast shade on city owned property, then it's okay. Oh. Okay. That the shade is really where the where how you measure it. Uh the difference between where the the tree is planted and public public property. But in any event, I think they uh they the representatives from there would uh would be happy to talk with us about our specific um legal uh um program right here.
19. 19:36Uh they seem like they'd gone through a lot and uh they had done some of the things that we're aiming to do. So, I think that'd be worthwhile. All right. Well, that sounds good. We we should talk to them. Yes. Yes. All right. So, um thank you very much. Maria, thank you very much for this report. Um it's amazing. And um we'll have to we'll have to confer amongst ourselves and figure out where we're moving how to move forward with this. Um how to translate this into uh either an action plan or some sort of document or how we're going to implement this. Yeah. Sounds great. Um I know I'll be in contact with the municipality that we talked. Uh so, yes, and anything we can help, please let us know. Okay. Thank you very much. We appreciate it. Thank you very much. Thank you. I know I mean
20. 20:38I had spoke to someone a while back from uh Rhinebeck who's also a village trustee there who had had some feedback that she said she could share at at some point with us about what she feels has worked and hasn't worked in terms of their tree ordinances. >> Mhm. Right. And Saugerties also has a tree ordinance. I could talk to their planner as well. Yeah. I mean, yeah, great. >> And I know we started I think we we started with their with Rhinebeck's and Saugerties' when we originally the first draft um which feels like many years ago now. Right. Right. Right. But I don't I don't know. I didn't speak to anyone directly. I don't know if um anyone I guess he said at the time spoke. I can only say that maybe maybe after when we get the climate smart all far lightings and then we can continue with a different subcommittee on tree ordinances on how to implement this because it's kind of a project. Yeah. Is this isn't some of the issue that we stripped out some of the rigor in the original legislation? Which is what she's suggesting introduce some back in. Yeah. Right. And that's where the sunset clause could come in where it's like we
21. 21:41try it for 2 years and see if we like it and then it allows it to be a pilot program. Okay. Right. A pilot program for a time being. We have someone have a question online? Yeah. Go ahead. Okay. Go ahead. Who is this? Bill. Oh, good. Hey, can you hear me? Yes. Yeah, just in case you're unaware uh on my end there's a horrible echo uh coming through. And actually I can hear it as I speak, so I'm going to do my best to speak and ask a few questions if I could, but if I can't hear you very well, I'm just going to give up. I have First thing, if I could, generally I'm curious about maintenance of trees um residents are supposed to be taking care of. I want to give one example. There's my neighbor down the street here on State got a tree couple years ago that's taking up
22. 22:43in my estimation way too much of the sidewalk, but it there it is. And they they do not do enough um maintenance of it in terms of uh particularly cleaning garbage out of there and pulling weeds when weeds need to be pulled. And I'm curious since it it appears that the Conservation Council is not approaching people who aren't maintaining their trees properly, uh what is one to do? I don't want to approach my neighbor and ask them to take care of their tree this year, but I'm on the verge of doing it, and I'm wondering if you can give me some guidance. And if it's not happening, does the Conservation Council get involved? It's the person private property. It's their responsibility. No, we do not get involved. And if it's not happening, the CAC doesn't get involved? No, we do not do enforcement like that. No. I'm not asking for enforcement.
23. 23:45I guess you do not get involved. That's the answer. And so if the tree if the tree fails for lack of of attendance, what do you guys do? Like I said, it is the owner's responsibility to maintain the tree. Not the CAC's. So somebody can ask for a tree? Yes, and and they sign a waiver that says that they will take responsibility for it. If they receive it through the city program. what? I guess my next issue was a safety issue, two safety issues actually. There's a tree grate in front of 14 414 Warren, as you guys might know, that's been without a tree for at least a year and a half. I know the CAC wasn't involved in that tree, and you weren't involved in the tree grate, but I can guarantee that the the city resident didn't put that tree grate there. There's now a 12-in hole in the sidewalk waiting for somebody to step in if it hasn't happened already.
24. 24:47Does the CAC have any interest in getting involved in this to see that that tree grate is either removed or a new tree is put in there? That is a DPW issue, that is not the CAC. Are you guys not interested in putting a tree there? We do not put trees on Warren Street due to the uh wires and all the conduit uh currently on Warren Street. Well, do you understand the DPW is not responding my pleas to fix that? Okay. That's an issue between you and Rob Perrin. It does not reflect well on the CAC if there are tree grates, missing trees for years and years with holes in the sidewalk. That's all I'll say about that. The CAC is not a the parks department. >> It doesn't reflect well on you people. Thank you very much, Bill, for your comments. We need to move on. That's 3 minutes. Have a good day. Okay, next. Here we go. Um we have Okay. So, next we have the EV charger grants. So, we have
25. 25:49uh I'm last year in uh October, November, I put out the RFP for uh we received the grant last year for $75,000 to put in additional EV chargers. We've gotten four responses. I conferred with um Ali from the let's find the Apple District So, she put together a a a spreadsheet. We had four respondents. Uh we currently the the least expensive respondent is PISO. So, I just like to say that it looks like we're going to go with PISO for the What is PISO? It stands for I'm sorry, I can't remember what it Oh, it's an acronym for something. Yeah, it's an PISO. Uh it is the same guy who put in the charging stations behind City Hall. Mhm. Um and so I I think at I might at one point or another might have sent everyone all these but anyway. Um So, yeah, so they're looking to
26. 26:52it's it's a whole big if. Because we're looking to continue with the ChargePoint station because that's what we currently have. It these the implementation requires make-ready money from National Grid. Right now, there is a long waiting list for that make-ready money for this year for 2026. Most likely, we're going to look again in 2027 to see if there's additional make-ready money from National Grid because we cannot do this project without it. The $75,000 grant basically covers the equipment but does not cover the cost of getting the electric electricity from the wires and to the actual equipment. So, it's a big question mark. It's probably not going to happen this year. We're going to see if there's more money available next year. And basically, if the first was made and just we're choosing the the vendor, it'll go through the city council to approve it. And um and then
27. 27:54we wait and see if there's additional grant money to move forward. Which will like I said, it was could be this year but most likely be next year. Okay. So, that's where it's at with that. We keep trying. Yes. We keep trying and there's another company wanted to put in LinkWell system which is a different system. The other companies were much more uh much more expensive. So, um yeah, so this one is always the most realistic. We were initially planning on doing both. The charging stations across the street from the Amtrak as well as the fast charger by the dog park but the federal grants have dried up. No longer available and I don't think there's any like I said, there's probably not enough National Grid money to have to have it happen. So, we get one or the other, it would be great. Depending upon what's available. So, that's that decision. And I and know if confirmed this with Haley so she thinks that's okay. Perfect. All right, moving forward. A little problem. Arbor Day, someone else talk.
28. 29:00We have a proposal in from Rise and Run for the street and tree plantings. Believe it's um 11 trees. This includes some money that we um encumbered from last year but the grant needs to be the the proposal needs to be revised for that. Uh this also includes relocating a tree that a an owner uh originally requested and then rejected. So that's being taken moved to another another location. As well, it's uh right now it's coming in around 13,000 which is within our budget but then we'll be cutting that down because that will have the 1,600 um from last year as well so it will be even less than that potentially. Um so I followed up with Rise and Run about that. The most recent snafu though may be that Rob Perry has informed me that because of a new New York State law this um project because it's a municipal project must be done with a a part of
29. 30:06legislation called prevailing wages. Meaning there's a reporting system involved. The the supplier has to report their their laborers and all of that. We currently work with a sort of small-scale supplier who does I think a lot of private work rather than municipal work. So we didn't do an RFP because we didn't actually have to. So we moved forward assuming that. I queried them about whether they can handle that issue around prevailing wages. That just went out today cuz they just sent me the the quote yesterday. So if they cannot that kind of means we're back to square one on finding someone to do that street tree planting. Yeah. So, what we're talking about is for Horizon Run or whomever >> Yeah. to actually do the labor of the planting. Yeah. And that's where we're getting into wages. Yes, exactly. They have to go through deliver a product. Yeah, they have to go through a whole reporting system is the best of my understanding. It's kind of beyond my I
30. 31:09scope of understanding. Um so, uh if that comes to pass, we may be looking at trying to do a fall planting and having to do a proper RFP um saying um you must do this as part of your quote. And see if we get any responses on that. This is a a new complication that Is this only offered for street tree plantings or is this a different This is for street tree planting specifically because it's municipal work. Oh, right. going through the city. Um I mean, well, they come back to us and say, "We know exactly what you're talking about. No problem." So, crossing fingers. Yeah. Okay. Perfect. Thank you. Sure. Thank you very much. Um community solar limit, Josh. Um Brad from Power Markets met with the mayor uh who then suggested that uh
31. 32:10the mayor suggested that Brad reach out to Margaret to present to the common council. And I believe an email was sent on March 24th or so. >> Yeah, I saw the email. So, I don't know if anything has come onto an agenda for the council, but hopefully uh upcoming presentation and MOU draft that was already sent to her um will be reviewed. He'll present to the council and we'll be able to finally get this through the final. All right, I'll I'll follow up with Margaret as well as um Thank you. Okay, great. Next, um Harry Howard tree grants, how's that looking? Um I just actually dropped off today um the little tree labels. The new ones. Um to uh Calvin Oh, of course. >> to uh work on and some supplies for them. Um he's going to call me tomorrow morning. I didn't think he was actually going to begin
32. 33:12cuz schools are out. But uh Peter Frank said he he goes, "Yeah, he's around." So Okay. Um so those are going. I've been in touch with um the vice principal of Montgomery L and you know, they were discussing uh Joshua Del Rio, the things that are going to happen on Earth Day. So they want to kind of bring us all together. Mhm. That um so that's going along. The only uh still outstanding thing is the photo contest, but um I'm going to write up a press release about that and about Earth Day in general and I'll do a perfect day um uh in a little bit. Okay. So Yeah. And at those, we still Do we need any other uh they still have like some funds sitting in the account for this grant. Do we need to push put any other money against it? Uh um for um For us, for the future? I don't know. You don't know? In the Harry Howard grant? Uh In the Harry Howard grant? The uh the Harry
33. 34:14Howard Street tree grant, there's like $2,700 that that the DEC has. So they asked if we had any outstanding invoices. Oh. Okay, well we could >> forwarded the labels. The tree labels. Yeah, so and I you know, I just bought some, you know, marine varnish and TLC feed, you know, for the kids and some brushes. We I ordered the zip ties cuz I could be using twine again. And Daniel pointed out that the kids would go like that. So we got some We got really cheap zip ties. Yeah. I thought that could happen. So hopefully these will last more than a season or two because when I went out in the mud, uh I swear I think there were just two left unfortunately in all the trees. The rest of them had gone away. I think the kids had just You know, so um Wait, all all not trees. >> The labels were on the trees. No, please don't touch the trees. But the trees look great. You just scared me. Trees are unscathed as well.
34. 35:15>> And those trees planted back in November, how do they look? They look fine. Yeah. There's only one that's a little Yeah, cuz they they didn't stake them like they did the previous trees. You know, you should really stake them for a year. Yeah. For the wind. That didn't happen, but I I think they'll be fine. Do DC need to come back and look at them again? They will. Yeah. >> They will. He's going to be right across Well, one of the arborists is going to be right across the street, and he's going to help us to, you know, tag or whatever. We we have to coordinate this week. I have a meeting with them. So, um yeah. Okay, cool. I think we'll be fine. I think they have all live trees right now. Thank god. Um But I Yeah, send send me those send me those receipts. I'll send them to you. I'll forward them to you. All of them? Oh, not those. Not those. I have I haven't sent them to you. Okay, send send me the new one, but I do have these like the the labels, but I have I like to do like one big Yeah. Yes. I almost I just realized if we're going to talk to Rhinebeck or Saugerties about um tree
35. 36:18ordinances, maybe they have somebody that does tree street tree plantings that have the program agent. So we could ask them, too. We'll see what resident >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah, got it. >> up. Even so, the timing may start to become a big problem to get them by the spring. Yeah. Hey now, if we do a full planting, we would do a full planting. Yeah, that is what it is. We can try. As long as we still have the body with you, or at least have a contract in hand. Yes. Uh okay, great. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that. I'll follow follow up on the paperwork. Um climates the county Columbia County Climate Smart Committee. So, um that resolution is going through this this month. So, it could be official. You know, um la la la, that would be great. Um and then what else? And then, may I then tie this in with the county grant for Earth tree planting, which we received from Sonia this week. So, what should I do? Should I just fill out this form? What are we doing with that?
36. 37:20For the county Columbia County Soil and Water District grant funds for Earth Day plantings, there's some trees available. Um Sonia reached out to I don't know all of us a few times. >> Oh, right, right. Uh just recently just to say that Right, right. >> we Hudson has not applied, and there's funding available. Well, on part of that, I think we did get we got some we received money from Hudson Valley Corporation for the Earth Day plant. We And the DEC seedlings. Yes, the seedlings. But, I'm thinking this is a different program. >> Yes, correct. Sorry, I Lots of trees. >> It'd be a additional funding for That'd be great. for street trees. So, I think I forwarded it to everyone. >> Yes. So, what should we do? Should we apply? I think so. Why not? We don't lose. >> Is it only for street trees? What is it for? I don't know. It's a great question. >> If if it's flexible, then I think yes. But, if it's only street trees, I guess there's enough probably enough folks that want it, yeah. But, because I mean, what? And there's enough folks that want
37. 38:23a street tree, yeah. We actually haven't had any more additional requests at this point. Of course the challenge would be we could just choose spots to put them but there's no agreement to maintain that with the with the homeowner. Right. And I don't know but I wonder how many people know that this is available. We post it you know from time to time on Instagram. It's on our It's on our webpage. >> Yeah. You know so okay let me go back. I mean I I would go so far as to use other platforms. The Ledger Star you know other organizations. I mean we're really interested in getting out to everybody. So this application sorry I'm reading that is um If we're hosting an Earth Day event which we can include the farmers market event it is one native tree it's one tree. 7 to 10 feet tall. Oh that's a big tree.
38. 39:27So right trees we send out to you are generally about deer brows height delivered by the on the county planting location. Applicants must may select among the smallest so really everything but it's one tree. And then I think Sonia said that we could ignore that or someone said we could ignore that if we're having an Earth Day in 19. It didn't that didn't seem as relevant. Oh an actual Earth Day planting yeah. I think as long as we fill out the small market application we'll get a tree. But we have to have the hole dug and everything and everything ready. Big tree. It's basically the same thing the same application for similar application form that we use for the residents. Is it okay? Yeah. That we have to sign an obligatory Wait okay. And there's six tree species that they we we need to identify which of the six we're interested in. Yeah. I I forwarded this, I believe, to everyone here. So, you should have the application, too, I hope.
39. 40:28There's also a a DEC grant for help the helpers thing that you were mentioning. >> Mhm. Yes. There's a It's still open. There's an app There's also an application for that. I like all these ideas, but of course the challenge is again management of them all. You know, who does these applications? Who then maintains these things? I That's a good question. Uh we need We have two more We need three more members. We need three more members. But as you often say, we don't want to become the parks department. We don't. Yeah. We can't maintain I mean, we you know, the people sign off on maintaining these trees, and that's it. Yeah. I don't know what people expect. We're a lot bunch of volunteers. Pretty much. Yeah. Uh okay, so look over the application. I'm probably not the best person to pick a tree. Do you definitely want to do this?
40. 41:30Huh? So, we definitely want to do it? We should. I I'm surprised that it's a tree so big. There's higher mortality with larger trees, so it's just like uh I don't know. That makes me worried. All right. All right. Well, everyone read it, and then let's make a decision. There's an empty tree pit on Warren Street. There you go. Really, we should be glad. And service berries are on the smaller side, so that's That's one of the things on the list. On a tangent to that, one of the people who reached out for a tree is here with someone on Warren Street who was uh is a landscape architect. She and I had some correspondence, and she thought it was National Grid that was covering these choices. I did send her what Rob had sort of outlined what the issue is >> of it's under around what why we can't plant right now. Um She had initially sort of shown some interest in helping us figure something out, but I have not heard back from her since. So Yeah, did we follow up with Rob about like bushes or shrub like not lawn shrubs, but like not trees? No, not yet.
41. 42:34After C C S C. Okay. Um I think when it's Councilwoman Lisa I think the thank you that would be the chief word for Councilwoman that went out. I don't know. Okay, that's on me, you guys. That's on me. Fine. Got it. >> You have a handout too. From Carol. Oh, okay. Carol, yes. Yes, I'm I'm having a hard time following this conversation, but if you're looking for a place to plant a large tree, I would suggest that the Hudson Dog Park needs a tree and it certainly would benefit a lot of people who come to the dog park. It's wouldn't be a street tree, but it might qualify. This tree. Yes. And there's no issue planting where in inside the dog park itself, Carol? >> Inside the dog park on the berm that we created to receive trees. Oh. Fairly bingo. Thank you, Carol.
42. 43:37There you go. If it's an area that the dogs are into, I'm just worried about uh survival again. >> Yeah. Right. We have We have people who use the dog park who know how to protect a tree from dogs. So, I am concerned about having a tree that will not be toxic in any way to the dogs, but but we do have some expertise in our number about protecting trees from dogs. Hm. It would be easy to plant. Yeah. It would be easy to plant. Mhm. All right, fair Carol. There you go. Put a little fence there, a little barrier around it until it's larger. Yeah. All right, so the question is is there someone who would water them there? No, probably The problem would be that there would be too many people watering it. So And I don't mean the dogs, I mean humans with the hose. No humans. All right.
43. 44:39Yeah. They just told The dogs do have a good life in the dog park. They're well they're well cared for and I'm sure a tree would be equally cared for. So all right, well there you go. Unless anyone has any other ideas. One tree, there you go Carol. All right, up at the park. Um okay, next um Hudson Greenkeepers on the agenda. Yeah, but no one brought it I don't know if I can species Yes, okay. We'll we'll we'll talk. Yeah, you tell me which species to plant. Uh city sidewalks we're still holding up on that. Open space law on the agenda, anyone? I don't I don't know if it's open space law, but it was open space grant. >> Oh, sorry. >> I think that's the that's what we were looking at. Yeah. That was like a few months ago. Yeah. I don't think we're ready for this. I think we have to have a plan. Yeah. We'll we'll we'll And it's a good it's a good idea because um I don't think it's very competitive. I think that they don't get a lot of applications. But I saw how many times they said they started the dog park.
44. 45:41That's my assumption. Um but I think if we kind of put our heads together and think of a plan, I think it could be really helpful. Okay. All right. Maybe actually get through the climate plan. >> That's what I mean. Like we have to think about it. >> Yeah, in the coming months when we when we convene. Um the Hudson Farmers Market. I'm sorry, I think it's like every year around like early winter late winter early spring for the deadline if it's the same kind of every year. Um, yeah, if we start conversations like end of summer, I think Okay, okay. Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. Um, the Hudson Farmers Market, we have people who are willing to be there on the opening day there which is Saturday next Saturday the 25th. I am currently slated to do that. I'm assuming I can. Okay. I'm on April Okay, okay, good. Yeah. Two two sets for me. And I'm supposed to follow up on Yes, correct. Is 25th April 25th? April
45. 46:4425th is when we're currently slated to be there, yes. So, and they have like light bulbs and maybe people can sign up for free trees and yeah, I have literature although I I do not know where the banner is. I was going to email Aaron and look for that. Aaron probably has the banner. Yeah. Okay, great. Um, on the HDC grant seedling project. Yes. Yeah. Um, we just need to I think Jess um from HDC said that we could talk about paying. Yes. So, there is a bank account at the HDC. Mhm. Okay, which um the CAC has used in the past when we received the grant. Mhm. Um, so we would just need someone either one of you who wants to be a signor on that account. And this way they could just put the money into the account. Um I don't understand. Sorry, we can't um
46. 47:47as a municipality cumbersome for us to just like take in money. Yeah. >> So, the HDC has has offered themselves like a pass through Yeah. for any sort of grant money, right? >> Right. So, what do we have to do? So, there's a bank account that they have for us, already set up. Yeah. I just need one of you who wants to be uh like have a client or like a like a tax attorney accountant. To pay those. Sure. Fine. I will set that up. >> I'll do it. How do you Daniel? End of End of April or early May, we really have a lot of trees. Like 500. 500? But there's Bare root Yeah, bare root. They're tiny. Little ones. But there's like yeah, 455. And so, what are we doing What are we going to do with that? Going to plant them. We're going to have our own Earth Day Arbor Day. Okay. All right, Daniel.
47. 48:48>> Happening quickly. Is there a place where I can Promenade and waterfront and uh Sam from DPW about um the whole It's fine. Oakdale, Promenade Oh. Not Oakdale. Not Oakdale. Not Oakdale. No. Why? We were just doing Promenade and waterfront for this. But also Yeah, no. But Oakdale can be Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Fine. They want to be Oakdale, so Great. Perfect. Wonderful. Thank you. Um All right, great. So, okay. So, for May uh there's Oh, speaking of Oakdale, they'll be presenting to us in May about >> Yeah. It'll be fine. Right. Great. So, that's next month. Um gas stove study, anything we should talk about? It was just that we I forwarded you all the um proposed resolution wording. Um I don't know if you've looked at that yet. >> Okay. That was for us to give something to the council to consider.
48. 49:49A local resolution. >> A local resolution. So. Um Do you want to put Do you want to put that over with this one? I think we could. It's very simple. And I think would one of you be available at the informal meeting to answer any questions if it gets on the agenda? I don't have the bandwidth right now. Unfortunately, that's That's why I asked the question. Well. I would very much appreciate if you let me see it in formal. What? You know what? Let me Let me forward the resolution to them. But I don't I haven't forwarded to Margaret yet and see what they say. Take it bounce off of the legal committee first and then and then see where they want to go with it. They might come back. You know, yeah. Yeah. Something Um things to be done for it. I think we can do. Oh, yeah? Or I speak to the council on Yes, the old resolution. >> that alone. I just learned about it after reading the email, but I'd be happy to. Yeah. That'd be great. Yeah. I think I can do as much as we Yeah, I got this pretty warning labels
49. 50:51on on stoves. So, it's pretty simple resolution. Right. That's all That's all they want to do is put warning labels on stoves? Yeah. On gas stoves? That says what? Don't So, don't It creates toxic chemicals. So, run run your vent fan. Right. Don't Don't use the stove unless you have ventilation. Yeah. Open a window. Open a window. Open a window. I have gas stoves, so I should Yeah, I've been running my vent fan now. Also one. And he did he tested my stoves and Is that right? I always run the run the vent, but My numbers off the charts even with the vent running. Really? Even in my daughter's bedroom. And we And what was off the What was off the charts? The toxins that build up in the air as the gas stove burns. Yeah. Oh, really? Yeah. It's quite They're quite dangerous. I would agree. Long-term health. Gas stoves I think they're terrible, pretty actually. What about those gas heaters? I shouldn't even ask. Uh But you know the >> That's different. That's different. I Well Well, I got those gas heaters. I don't actually know. I'm afraid I'm
50. 51:54afraid to even ask now. Everybody got to get electric That's already That's a good one. Happy Holy I know. I have a question. Good question. Great question. All right, let's go on. Also, you know what? I'll send it to Margaret. She can bounce it off of legal and see if she has any other questions. Um the semi application grant. Okay. It's kicking into gear now finally. The other stuff has been approved. They're They had the grant part. And um yeah, so we have we have uh new and improved posters Oh. that um hopefully we can I don't know if we can post on the city side or whatever, but there's one in Spanish and one in English. Okay. And that's Yeah. And they have it in Spanish. Okay. Um So anyway, um Yeah, so at events like maybe opening of um Who is Or birthdays. They and um
51. 53:03uh anything basically like a hotel thing and anything you can think of where there are people congregating, we want to have have this This is the sort of intro um for sure to get people to even like interested in the program and if they are, then they may opt in to take the survey. So they want their data for Hudson. It's more difficult than I think than Poughkeepsie, I think because we're smaller. Hm. But um anyway, we're trying to spread the word and get people engaged. >> Walgreens is very friendly with like dropping things off and they'll keep them at the register. Yeah. So, anywhere we can again post it on social media. They're at the food pantry, um senior center Yes, again. So All right, great. All right, thank you
52. 54:17very much. >> So, yeah, it's going. We'll see. Um okay, anything else? Anyone else? Questions? Comments? Um a little anecdotes? Um if you want to think of a name for the photo contest for the Harry Howard trees, please use your creative with inclinations. >> for the alliteration of Harry Howard. Got it. So Yeah, good idea. I had one other thing, too. Jason Foster just put up a air monitoring unit at his home, but also on TSL property. So, if anyone's interested in uh I think space limited. Um if if anyone at some point is interested in data on air quality, local, hm cool
53. 55:22quality collected data, he's happy to to share data or talk about the devices, but It looks great. >> Just for our future. That's great. Okay, anyone else, anything else? Motion to adjourn. So moved. So moved. Adjourned. Thank you very much everyone. Thanks for praying.

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