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2020-03-05 Tree Board MinutesAPPROVED Notes of Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board City Council Chambers — Public Safety Complex 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA March 5, 2020 6:00 pm 1) Call to Order Frank called the meeting at 6:00 am and read the Land Acknowledgement Roll Call/Introductions Attendees: Tree Board Members: Doug Petersen, Vivian Olson, Barbara Chase (vice chair), Frank Caruso (vice chair), Bill Phipps, Gail Lovell, Suzanne Juergensen, Donna Murphy, Ross Dimmick (Alternate) Diane Buckshnis as City Council Liaison Debra Dill, Arborist and Kernen Lien from Development Services Audience Members that signed in: Darrol Haug, Vivian Olson and Katherine Combs 2) Approval of Agenda Moved and approved with no changes. 3) Approval of Meeting Notes Moved and Approved with no corrections. 4) Audience Comments Darrol Haug spoke about the value of the motto of "Right Tree, Right Place" and talked about the Chase Bank Trees and Main Street Trees. He stated that trees on Main Street are dangerous and need to be removed. Debra Dill indicated that there are procedures that are being completed and that it will take time and the Chase Trees are already in the cue. Vivian Olson stated that there was invasive bamboo on 9th and it was pushing through the sidewalk and that we should address that issue if we can. Katherine Combs made her remarks under new business which dealt with the Arbor Day. 5) Old Business/Discussion • Street Tree Planning Program Kernen Lien spoke about the City's Street Tree Plan with established downtown and corridor guidelines with maps for street trees and 60" wide right of way trees. This city group is different from the plan being development by the TB committee. A new title for the TB groups "street trees" and it is "Tree Choices for Street and Homes" and this was approved by the group: ACTION: Tree Choices for Street and Home. • UFMP/City Arborist It has been established that between 2005 and 2017, the City of Edmonds lost 2% of its tree canopy in Edmonds which amounts to about 100 acres. Lots of trees are being clear cut and replacement of trees is questionable as our parks are full. So, discussion occurred about partnering with Forterra or Mountain to Sound's Partnerships. Aging Alder Trees on Alder needs to be removed and that will be addressed as noted during the citizen comments. They will be removed and appropriate native trees will be replaced. The crafting or updating of policies have not moved forward according to Kernen as the City is waiting to hire a code "planning person" to write code. • Web Links Projects Suzanne who has developed the project was given compliments on the draft data and all members were instructed to read the material and make comments for the next meeting. Donna suggested engaging children which will reach parents about the importance of trees. She offered to help create a tree bingo board which she said she would help launch. • Earth Day April 25, 2020 will celebrate the 501h anniversary of Earth Day. Tree Board will participate in the ivy pull from 9:30 -noon at Yost Park (same place). Diane will buy the snacks and Gail will buy the coffee. Amount up to $75 was approved in a previous meeting. Additionally, 150 native red cedars will be planned along Shell Creek. • TB Presentation to City Council Donna and Frank will put presentation together and Diane has set it to March 24th • Edmonds Elementary School Planning (formerly Olympic Elementary School) Barbara talked to the principal Brett Hagan and he was uncertain if the Tree Board could do a tree and shrub planting in a small plot. Discussion occurred regarding where and what type of plantings and this area will be discussed next meeting. • Forterra Joanna Nelson des Flores of Forterra will make a 15-minute presentation and followed with question and answers about their group and programs. Debra and Rich from City of Edmonds will also be there representing Parks. Forterra has taken out 70 alders from the South County Park and we will see if we can see if we can partner with them on replanting. 6) New Business • Katherine Combs of the Edmonds Library and works in the Children's section. She would like to have assistance for an Earth Day Program on April 22 (Wednesday) at 4PM and wanted to see if Tree Board was interested in educating and/or providing crafts. Donna agreed and Diane will help in set up. Katherine also said she would be happy to set up a table at the library at any time. She also said she was planning a presentation at several libraries about trees and Barbara said she would help. Her email is kcombs@snoisle.org Council Member Kristiana Johnson brought forth a resolution for Tree Board comments and edits. It was read and questions were asked and Members were to bring any additional comments to next meeting. 7) Tree Board Member Ideas and Comments • Discussed putting trees on media strips on Aurora Avenue. Parks and Rec staff do not have staffing to maintain trees and that Shoreline's median was now looking bad as no one was able to weed. • Frank and Suzanne will once again assist Gail on the Edmonds In Bloom Garden Tour. • Covid — 19 or coronavirus was brought up and so Tree Board needs to determine how to manage this in future meeting. 8) Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:03.