Loading...
2018-12-06 Tree Board Minuteso F r71y Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board City Council Chambers — Public Safety Complex 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA Approved Meeting Notes December 6, 2018 Tree Board members present: Doug Petersen (Chair), Steve Hatzenbeler, Vivian Olson, Bill Phipps, Barbara Chase, Leslie Smith(student rep), Suzanne Juergensen, Gail Lovell, Frank Caruso. City Staff present: Kernen Lien, Kyle Braun (city consultant). Elected official present: Dave Tietzel, Edmonds City Council. CALL TO ORDER: A quorum was reached and the meeting was called to order by Doug Petersen. ROLL CALL: All those present introduced themselves. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The agenda was modified and approved. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: The meeting minutes for November 1, 2018 were corrected and approved. AUDIENCE COMMENTS: Lissa Lune, Garret Mayturn, Mark Blinstrub, and Kevin Faserstrom introduced themselves. Lissa offered computer services in web design for future Tree Board efforts. Lissa, we now have your contact info! Kevin told us about the joys and tribulations of owning a sequoia grove in his yard. The tree board welcomed and thanked the audience members for their involvement. OLD BUSINESS: - The Tree Board unanimously reappointed Leslie Smith as the "student representative" to the Tree Board. Leslie was thanked for her continued involvement. - There was a discussion about who should be on the Tree Board e-mail list. The Tree Board unanimously decided that only Tree Board members, plus the City Council liaison (currently Diane Buckshnis), should be on the Tree Board e-mail group list. - Vivian updated the Tree Board on her efforts to educate and promote the public about the Tree Boards' new "small trees for small places" brochure. Vivian was thanked for her efforts in publicizing the Tree Boards' excellent brochure. Kyle reported on his efforts in obtaining the Tree City USA certification for this year. Once again it looks like Edmonds will get the Tree City certification. Yea Edmonds! Kyle reported on his efforts in formatting and printing the Tree Boards' "small trees for small places" brochure. The Tree Board members made suggestions to make the brochure just exactly perfect. Kyle reported on his efforts in formatting the Tree Boards' "Before you grab that chainsaw" brochure. Kyle was thanked by the Tree Board for his work in supporting the Tree Board this year. Kernen was here to update the Tree Board on the progress of the City's Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP.) An update of the UFMP by the Davy Group has been presented to the City. The City has asked for a UFMP Citizens Committee to review and refine the proposed UFMP. The City has asked for two members from the Tree Board to be on that committee. The Tree Board unanimously approved Frank and Vivian to represent the Tree Board. Bill raised concerns about the transparency and openness of that committee. Bill asked how the public could contribute to the committee. There was a broad ranging discussion about "the goals", the "data needed" and the "how to" of the UFMP. Steve stressed the need of a current tree inventory. Bill stressed the need of a regional "Tree Bank" or "Tree Preserve" where new conifers are planted that eventually replace all the large conifers that are currently being lost to development in Edmonds. - Gail reported on the current financial status of the Tree Board. All our debts have been paid off. Doug reported that our city budget balance is basically zero. The current City budget proposal includes a 1000 dollar increase for the Tree Board from 3000 to 4000 dollars for 2019. NEW BUSINESS: - Jennifer Leach of the Francis Anderson Recreation Center has reached out to the Tree Board proposing a joint presentation/publication, through their recreation publication, "CRAZE. " The message will be of the importance of a thriving urban forest in Edmonds. All of the Tree Board expressed an interest in pursuing that relationship/opportunity. - Now has come the time to nominate a new chair for the Tree Board. Doug, sadly, announced that he will be stepping down as chair. The Tree Board will need to address this next meeting. - Out with the old (?) and in with the new: any new ideas for Tree Board projects in 2019?! Steve would like to see a more "big tree" planting on Arbor Day this year. Suzanne would like to see a Tree Board planting of a "guild"; which is a permaculture garden. Bill would like to work with the Edmonds Arts Commission on a joint art/garden/ tree, installation/planting. Frank would like to see a joint Suzanne/Bill project! Barbara would like to revisit the Edmonds Street Tree Plan; can it be accelerated and improved upon? Vivian would like to see the trees trimmed on Main Street coming down the hill into downtown Edmonds. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS: Happy Holidays everyone! ADJOURNMENT: With no further business and after a long and productive meeting; the esteemed Edmonds City Tree Board adjourned for the evening. Next Tree Board meeting: January 3, 2019. Notes submitted by Bill Phipps.