Committee approves purchase of 14-foot Norway spruce for downtown lot

A joint meeting of McMinnville’s Tourism and Streets committees approved a motion to allow urban forestry to purchase and plant a 14-foot Norway spruce for the downtown lot.

Committee members said nurseries recommended Norway spruce as the hardiest, most drought-tolerant option for the site. The tree under consideration was offered by Randall Walker Farms for a one-time cost of $350; committee members said delivery and planting would be handled in-house.

The purchase was presented as a lower-cost alternative to artificial options. “This would be a $350 one time expense,” a presenter said. Committee members discussed life expectancy and maintenance for a live tree and noted previous downtown holiday trees had been Norway spruces.

Members also said the tree could be incorporated into the lot design that the city’s consultant, CT Consultants, will present. The committee agreed urban forestry could buy the tree now and look for a larger option later if one became available before fall.

A motion “to allow urban forestry to make this purchase of this tree” was moved by Board member Rachel Kirby and seconded by Board member Carrie Morton. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; committee members said planting would be done by city staff.

Committee members and staff clarified funding would come from city budget lines related to streets or tourism; the meeting record did not specify the exact line item. They also said the city would delay procurement until fall for planting season and could replace the tree later if necessary.

The committee adjourned after the vote.