Officers and Board Members for 2019 with years of service President - Kim Underwood (12) Vice President – Kathy Borland (17) Treasurer – Deb Mickelsen (6) Secretary – Greta Anderson (7) Mike Ruzek (30) Gretchen Ramlo (24) Jan Chuick (20) Kelly Lady (18)
Chris Stepp (9) Renee Wangen (7) Ernie Hamero (5) Coulter Wood (3) Steve Kime (3)
Holly Wallace (3) Tim Ruzek (1) Susan Olson (1) Luke Reese (1) Melodee Morem (1)
SPRUCE UP AUSTIN 2019 Mission Statement Spruce Up Austin, Inc. is established for the purpose of coordinating various resources to initiate, establish and maintain beautification projects in the Austin area with a strong emphasis on planting tree. Spruce Up Austin, Inc. will use these projects to promote at greater environment awareness within the Austin community, to encourage citizens to improve their property and to enhance a positive image for the City of Austin. Spruce Up Austin, Inc. will also participate in various activities that will educate the Austin community on plants and landscape concepts. Spruce Up Austin completed its 30th year in 2019 and we look forward to continuing the efforts to enhance the landscape of our community. A dedicated board, terrific support by other volunteers, an excellent working relationship with businesses and the Austin Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department continue as strengths of Spruce Up Austin. Spruce Up Austin was directly involved in projects where more than $9,935.00 was spent in 2019. When the volunteer time associated with these projects is considered, the internal work of the Austin Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department, the value to the community amounted to more than $17,537.00. During the thirtieth-year history of our organization, the total value to our community exceeds $555,439. 26 deciduous and conifer trees were planted during 2019 bringing our tree total to 2,787.
Public Relations and Education Yard of the Month: 2019 marked the 17th year for celebrating the yard of the month. Our committee is always looking to honor those front yards with curb appeal! The winners of the 2019 Yard of the Month were: June – 602 20th St SW, Jerry and Mary Anne Wolesky
July - 1300 4th St SW, George and Nora Heller
August – 1209 20th ST NE, Jay and Kelly Lutz Website and Social Media: The PR Committee spent time updating our website in 2019. Enhancements included a link to our FB page and information about our new Tree Trek Adoption program.
2019 Annual Report
Projects I. Friday, April 26 Arbor Day: Eight Arbor Day Trees were planted on the South of Isaak Walton Cabin in Todd Park, 4 Black Spruce, 2 Burr Oaks and 2 Swamp Whites. The same MN DNR - LCCMR Grant as above purchased 2 or the eight, Park & Recreation funds purchased the other six trees as a cash match needed for both projects. One of the Swamp White Oaks was dedicated as an honorary tree for a long time SUA member, Jack Sherman. SUA members, volunteers and the help of the Austin Park & Recreation who pre-dug the holes and delivered mulch made for a successful planting. The cost of the trees was $980.00 with a value back to the community of $1470.00.
II. US Bank Adopted spot project: New to project development Greta Anderson and Gretchen Ramlo took the leadership role for the area across from Worlein Plaza, at 1st Dr NW and 5th Place NW which was redone for the third time in 30 years. This area has become an Adopt a Spot area for US Bank. For this project Austin Park & Recreation removed the old plantings, pruned the trees and Dolan’s Landscaping did the replanting. The cost of the project totaled $1,615 with a value back to the community of $2,261.00. III. Mower County Fairgrounds Flagpole project: This project was a partnership with The Mower County Fair Board, Modern Woodman, Freeborn/Mower, Austin Park & Recreation, Private Donors and SUA. There were 5 trees planted, a variety of plants, rock placed within the boarder which was installed in by Berg’s Nursery. On planting day there were FFA students, Fair grounds crew, Fair Board members, SUA members and other volunteers. The cost of the project totaled $3,992 with a value back to the community of $8,784.00.
IV. Community Bandshell Park: Four Norway Pines were planted on Friday, October 25 to begin the replacement process for the six spruce trees which were removed during a sewer project. The contribution from SUA totaled $ 544.00 with a $816.00 value back to the community. There will be 18 honorary Board Member spruce trees that have been lost to needle cast, sewer projects and storms. The Board is committed to replacing these trees over time.
2019 Annual Report
VI. Governor’s Tree, October 11: J.C. Hormel Nature Center Mike Ruzek, Gretchen Ramlo and Steve Kime were involved with the Pheasant Opener event which also allowed SUA to donate a Northern Pin Oak dedicated to Governor Timothy Walz. The planting was well received by Governor Walz on that Saturday morning of October 11. The contribution from SUA totaled $495.00 with a $743.00 value back to the community.
We would like to thank our 2019 financial supporters, Austin Utilities, Hormel Foundation, Modern Woodman, Austin Rotary Club, MN DNR-LCCMR Grant, Mower County Fair Board, Honorary Tree donors and private donors. Projects or events would not happen without the volunteers that donate their time, to you we are grateful! The partnership SUA has with the Austin Park Board and Department makes the projects that benefit our community a success. SUA also appreciates all of expertise and suggestions we have used from the University of Minnesota regarding our Tree Trek at East Side Lake. Thank you for all everyone does!
Resource Development The main objective of resource development is the Honorary Tree program. Honorary trees can be planted for many reasons, memory of a loved one, birth of a child, special anniversary or recognition of service. In 2019 there were nine (9) honorary trees planted and dedicated. The honorary trees purchase totaled $2,309.00 which is a $3,463.00 value back to the community. The total honorary trees planted to date are 217. Austin Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department plants the honorary trees in the fall of each year. 2019 Spruce up Austin Honorary Program Name Steve Kime Darlene Haukum L Haugland Jim Stough Nancy Olson Lynette Loecher Lynette Loecher Kim Underwood
Type of Tree London Planetree Oak Maple Maple Flowering Crab Ice Stopper Cork Tree Fairview Flame Maple London Planetree
Placement Bike Path N side of Nature Center Near Noon Lions trail shelter Near Noon Lions trail shelter Near Noon Lions trail shelter E side of Comforcare, N of end drive East Side Lake E of Arbor Galloway Park Todd Park near purple playground S of Izaak Walton Cabin/Todd Park (One of the
Jack Sherman
Swamp White Oak
Arbor Day Trees)
2019 Annual Report
Maintenance 2019 was another busy year of maintenance by our six teams. The following four points are the highlights of our year! *Revamped the volunteer maintenance program of public landscape areas and is now called "Adopt a Spot". This program is now a two-year commitment that volunteers sign as a two-year agreement of participation. Currently there are ten participating groups involved in ten different areas for the period of 2019-2020. *On Tuesday, April 23 SUA and 4-H volunteers converged on the ESL Tree Trek mulching trees. The maintenance for the Tree Trek was made possible by a MN DNR – LCCMR Improving Community Forests through Citizen Engagement administered through the Austin Park & Recreation Department. The grant supplied mulch, purchased wheel borrows, tree gators, shovels, rakes and pruning tools which will be accessible for SUA planting and maintenance projects. The mulching was completed by SUA members and 4-H volunteers. The grant totaled $6,333.
*Reviewed areas of maintenance assigned to the six board member teams of SUA and distributed the list of maintenance requirements for Spring and Fall work to the six teams. Teams submitted reports of maintenance performed and pending to Maintenance Committee chairs for our records. *Organized the third annual Mower County Soil and Watershed District's Adopt A River clean-up project. SUA board members partnered with the AHS Wrestling team and AHS Tennis team for removal of trash on public property surrounding East Side Lake. THANKS to Park and Recreation Department, Dolans and Bergs for all the assistance this year...as always it was much appreciated! Here's to everyone involved!!!
2019 Annual Report
2018 Nominating Committee SPRUCE UP AUSTIN, INC. Kelly Lady (Chair) Kim Underwood Gretchen Ramlo Greta Anderson Resignations – John Duren 2015 Ruth Arons 2015 Kris Baldus 2015 Mat Miller 2017
2019 Proposed & Approved Officers & Board President – Kim Underwood Vice President – Kathy Borland Treasurer – Deb Mickelsen Secretary – Greta Anderson Corresponding Secretary – Gretchen Ramlo 2019 Proposed New Board Members were approved at the November 8, 2018 meeting. Luke Reese Tim Ruzek Mel Morem Susan Olson
Endowment Fund The SUA Endowment Fund was started on November 2, 2016 with the Austin Area Foundation. At this time the Hormel Foundation partnering with the Austin Area Foundation provided an incentive for agency organizations to start their own endowment fund. If the 501©(3) organization created an endowment fund with a minimum of $4000 there would be a $2000 match. There was another donation offered if SUA went ahead that was an additional $2000. The year 2016 ended with a total of permanently restricted funds of $8000 in the SUA Endowment Fund. Permanently restricted funds would not be available for distribution but only the earnings of those funds. The SUA board has adopted management criteria for the endowment fund which includes every year adding to the endowment fund 5% of the previous year’s net balance. In 2019 the 5% resulted in $456 and with other donations the total restricted amount since 2016 of the Spruce Up Austin Endowment Fund is $9,471.83 and the market value is $10,030.
2019 Annual Report
EX-OFFICIO From By-Laws:
ARTICLE III BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section III The number of board members may be set by board resolution and consist of not more than 18 members. All members including officers shall serve without salary. The board of directors including officers will be elected for a two-year term ending after every even year in a manner herein provided. Prior board members who have served 5 terms (10 years) will become ex officio members. Ex Officio members who would be nonvoting members but would be able to attend and otherwise participate in board meetings and other activities of Spruce Up Austin Inc. Thank you to our past members. Those that have meet the criteria from our By-Laws as an Ex-officio Member are: (* = Charter Members) *Bonnie Rietz (14) *Joyce Mlinar (10) *Denny Maschka (19) Pat Schmid (11) Millie Kane (11) Jack Sherman (22) Darlene Thaisen (17)
Lee Bonorden (20) Craig Hoium (11) Bonnie Mogen (18) Jim Larson (10) Harlan Nelson (11) Howard Nepp (12)
“The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on the earth.” ― Frank Lloyd Wright
2019 Annual Report