2022-06-02 Tree Board Agendat7F F D,1�
V f Tree Board Meeting Agenda
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Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 6:OOPM Staff Contact: Deb Powers
425-771-0220
As of June 1, 2022, all City boards and commissions resume in -person meetings. Tree Board meetings take place in
Council Chambers in the Public Safety Complex located at 250 5t" Avenue in Edmonds, Washington
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Reading of Land Acknowledgement for Indigenous Peoples
We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and
their successors the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered,
and taken care of these lands. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination,
and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with the land and water.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
AUDIENCE COMMENTS - we respectfully request that guests limit comments to 5 minutes.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Annual/Ongoing Events
a. Tree Board Presentation to City Council review
b. Edmonds in Bloom Garden Tour
c. Summer Farmer's Market Booth
d. Fall Arbor Day & Proclamation (mandated)
2. Special Events/Projects
a. Tree Code Update Project Retreat
b. Sierra Park Interpretive Sign Project
c. Tree Walk at City Park
3. Administrative
a. Tree Fund Questions
NEW BUSINESS
1. Status on filling most recent TB vacancy
2. Mission Statement
3. Draft Tree Board Handbook
TREE BOARD CHAIR, MEMBER COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Upcoming Tree Board meeting dates: July 7, August 4, September 1, October 5, November 3, December 1, 2022.
°` CITY OF EDMONDS
TREE BOARD -
"°a~°'' Summary Minutes of Virtual Meeting 8°
May 5, 2022
CALL TO ORDER / LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ROLL CALL
Deb Powers called the Tree Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Powers read the Land Acknowledgement
and did the roll call. She announced that Suzanne Juergensen had informed the City she needed to resign
immediately because of a work conflict.
Board Members Present
Janelle Cass, Vice Chair'
Bill Phipps
Bill Grant
Wendy Kliment
Ross Dimmick
Andy Lyon
Board Members Absent
None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as presented.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
There were no audience comments.
Staff Present
Deb Powers, Urban Forest Planner
Others Present
None
APPROVAL OF APRIL 7, 2022 MINUTES
The April 7, 2022 Tree Board minutes were approved as presented
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The Board voted to strike election of officers from the agenda and move it to the next meeting when there
are more members present.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Annual/Ongoing Event Planning — Ms. Powers reviewed the 2022 Work Plan and solicited input.
'Board Member Cass joined the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
2 Board Member Lyon joined the meeting at 8:30.
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May 5, 2022
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• TB presentation to City Council on June 7: Ms. Powers found some old presentations that can be
used as templates. Board Members Dimmick and Phipps will work with Vice Chair Cass to put
something together by May 27 to meet the packet submittal deadline.
• Edmonds in Bloom Garden Tour on July 17: Board Member Kliment will reach out to Carol to
see if they need the Tree Board to do anything.
• Summer Farmer's Market Booth: Board Member Phipps will continue to try to contact the market
people.
• Fall Arbor Day & Proclamation (mandated): Ms. Powers will contact Andy to see if he will lead.
She will also contact Parks to see what they have planned. Vice Chair Cass suggested tying this
into other Tree Board events/activities such as interpretive sign replacements or a tree walk to
make it more substantial. Board Member Grant gave an update on existing tree identification signs
at Sierra Park. Of all the signs in the park only three have trees that are still alive because the
ground has changed over the years. It doesn't make sense to replant the trees that are no longer
there because they wouldn't be viable. He has contacted the Lion's Club about his interest in
labeling trees and other plants that are in the park that don't have labels. He will also talk with
them and Parks about improving the path.
2. Upcoming Events/Projects
• Retreat for tree code updates: Ms. Powers explained that the purpose of the retreat is to clarify
what she will be taking to Council regarding tree code updates. There was consensus to meet in
person, if possible, with a date to be determined.
• Tree Walk: There was discussion about having this at City Park in late summer or early August
and tying it together with the Arbor Day proclamation. Board Members Grant, Phipps, and
Kliment will get together to work out details about the event. Ms. Powers will reach out to Parks
to see if they have any background information about the history of City Park and to see about any
scheduling conflicts or permission needed to use the park.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Status on filling recent TB vacancy: A candidate has been selected by Councilmember Johnson to
replace Donna. It still needs to be approved by the Council to be official. Suzanne Juergensen's vacancy
still needs to be posted.
2. Report -out on regional partnership projects: Ms. Powers reported that due to workload changes,
Edmonds is no longer a case or pilot city for the Tree Equity Score Tool and the Stormwater Urban
Forestry Modeling Project.
ROUND-ROBIN TREE BOARD MEMBER IDEAS/COMMENTS
Report -out on Earth Day event held Saturday, April 23: Vice Chair Cass and Suzanne Juergensen were
at the event at Yost Park to help check in volunteers who planted 100 trees. Board Member Kliment
reported she was at Pine Ridge Park where there a lot of enthusiastic kids including a cub scout troop
earning a badge. Deb Powers was also there talking to people about native plants. Everyone seemed to
have a great time.
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May 5, 2022
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2. WingFTP server and meeting notes/agendas process: Ms. Powers showed the Board the WingFTP
server contents and how to access it.
Tree Fund/Impacts of Tree Code: Board Member Phipps asked to know how much is in the Tree Fund,
where the money is located, who controls it, and how it's controlled. In general, he wants more openness
and transparency in the process. Ms. Powers explained that Planning generates the funds, but Parks uses
the funds mainly for land acquisitions. Board Member Phipps asked what percentage of the Tree Fund
is from "fees in lieu of'. Chapter 3.95 says money deposited into the Tree Fund from fees in lieu of tree
replacements must be used to purchase trees for planting or acquiring and preserving wooded areas and
open space. Ms. Powers thought the majority of the funds are from fees in lieu payments and most are
used for parks land acquisition which is well within the code requirements. Board Member Phipps
requested the balance of the fund and information about how it is used or anticipated to be used and by
who. He expressed concern about how the decisions are being made noting that if you are buying trees,
it will buy a lot, but if they are only acquiring land, it is not nearly as effective. Board Member Dimmick
agreed that an analysis of this should be done. The Board wanted to know if the properties purchased
are wooded and what fits those criteria. They also want to know if the funds have ever been used for
tree planting on its own. Ms. Powers suggested that Board Member Phipps contact Ms. Feser or submit
a FOIA request to get more details. Board Member Lyon asked if the Tree Board could submit a request
to Parks or City Council for a recommendation on how the funds are spent such as a tree bank or
replacing trees that have died at Sierra Park. Board Member Phipps expressed concern about the tree
replacement requirements in the code because this is what leads to the need for fee -in -lieu payments.
Ms. Powers indicated she would be addressing this at the retreat. Board Member Dimmick requested
clarification about the guiding principles for optimum expenditure of the funds. Board Member Phipps
concurred. Vice Chair Cass pointed out that when they participate with the code rewrite at the retreat,
they will have an opportunity to clarify some of these questions.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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May 5, 2022
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