2022-08-04 Tree Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
�, � TREE BOARD
�•� Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting
August 4, 2022
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Bill Phipps called the Tree Board meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Board Members Present
Bill Phipps, Vice Chair
Chris Eck
Bill Grant
Andy Lyon
Ross Dimmick (Alternate)
Board Members Absent
Wendy Kliment (excused)
Janelle Cass, Chair (excused)
Crane Stavig
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT — ROLL CALL
Vice Chair Phipps read the Land Acknowledgement.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
There were no audience comments.
MINUTES:
Staff Present
Deb Powers, Urban Forest Planner
Other:
Laura Johnson, Edmonds City Council Representative
(excused)
The July 7, 2022 draft Tree Board minutes were amended to show that Board Member Lyon arrived late.
The July 7, 2022 Tree Board minutes were approved as amended.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Chair Phipps asked to discuss a note he received about ongoing tree plantings at Edmonds Elementary
School under New Business.
The agenda was approved as amended.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Annual/Ongoing Events
Report out: Garden Tour — Ms. Powers reported on the garden tour. The tree ID signage was a big hit
as an educational tool. There was some discussion about where to store the signs and whether or not to
remove the stakes from the laminated portion. Vice Chair Phipps will contact the Council Assistant to
see if they can be stored in the Council office.
Update on Summer Farmer's Market Booth — Vice Chair Phipps reported that they cashed the check so
the booth is confirmed for October 1. He has planted about 30 conifers from his brother-in-law in gallon -
size containers to be given away at the Farmer's Market booth. They still need some trees that are small
to medium size when mature (about 30 of each size) for giveaways. Board Member Lyon and Vice
Chair Phipps will look at Sky Nursery for two trees to raffle off. More brochures need to be printed.
Vice Chair Phipps will need help transporting the trees. Board members will be needed to staff the
booth. Board Member Eck volunteered to help with transport and with staffing the booth. Board
Member Lyon offered his truck to transport trees. Vice Chair Phipps asked if anyone else is interested
in helping to contact him prior to the next meeting.
2. Special Events/Projects
Sierra Park interpretive sign project update — Board Member Grant reported on a Zoom meeting he and
Vice Chair Phipps had with Parks Director Angie Feser regarding Sierra Park. There is a new chair for
the Lion's Club who has met with Director Feser to discuss their involvement the park. Director Feser
will be attending a board meeting at the Lion's Club on August 17 to discuss how they want to proceed.
He would like to work on getting more tree labels up in the park. Board Member Lyon suggested the
Tree Board purchase signs even if the Lion's Club doesn't do that. The Lion's Club used to maintain
the park, but that hasn't been done lately. Board Member Grant will provide a list of trees that need
signs to Board Member Lyon to review and confirm.
Tree Walk at City Park — There was interest in the event but consensus to table the discussion for the
next meeting when Member Kliment would be present.
Tree code mock scenario "pop quiz," discuss proposed code amendments list — Ms. Powers discussed
issues with code complexity, that it should be easy for all users. Board members discussed various code
interpretations relating to different mock scenarios and possible code amendments/clarifications.
Questions and answers followed. There appeared to be concern about the code's effectiveness with tree
retention and replanting on development sites and collection of fees -in -lieu for tree replanting
elsewhere. There was concern that the requirements are not equitable when applied to the heavily treed
lots, versus less heavily tree lots. Vice Chair Phipps brought up the concept of net ecological gain and
stated that any tree that is removed should be replanted. Ms. Powers agreed, said critical area
requirements are an example of how that can be achieved. Ms. Powers said code should emphasize tree
retention, then replanting, then fees in lieu to replant elsewhere in the city in order of priority.
• Planning Board Tree Code update briefing report out —The new date for the joint meeting with the
Planning Board is October 12. This gives the tree board two more meetings to delve into this topic.
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NEW BUSINESS
1. ECDC 1.05.0101 — Ms. Powers reviewed rules related to absences and reminded members to let the
Chair know if they can't make it to a meeting.
2. Mission statement — Ms. Powers explained that Chair Cass feels that the Board needs to have a clear
mission statement. This item was continued to the next meeting when Chair Cass would be present.
TREE BOARD CHAIR, MEMBER COMMENTS
Vice Chair Phipps commented on the Board's desired level of involvement with the tree code amendment
project and the complexity of the issues. Ms. Powers commented that the Board has an advisory role with the
Council and has committed to making a written recommendation to Council. Members discussed their comfort
level with looking at and commenting on a pre -written draft code and advocating for the community.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Next meeting: September 1, 2020
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