2023-01-05 Tree Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
�, � TREE BOARD
�•� Summary Minutes of Special Meeting
January 5, 2023
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Cass called the January 5, 2023 Tree Board Special Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Board Members Present
Janelle Cass, Chair
Bill Phipps, Vice Chair
Wendy Kliment
Andy Lyon
Crane Stavig
Ross Dimmick (alternate)
Board Members Absent
Chris Eck (excused — unable to
join remotely/City tech issues)
Staff Present
Tristan Sewell, Planner
Brad Shipley, Senior Planner
Others Present
Jenna Nand, City Council Liaison
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT — ROLL CALL — INTRODUCTIONS
The Land Acknowledgement was read.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The agenda was approved as amended.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
There was no audience present.
MINUTES:
Approval of the December 1, 2022 Tree Board Minutes
Roll call did not reflect that Janelle Cass was an excused absence from the December 1, 2022 meeting.
The December Tree Board minutes were approved as amended.
NEW BUSINESS
Tree Board Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2023
Pagel of 3
Election of new co-chair/vice chair
Janelle Cass was nominated and elected unanimously as Chair.
Bill Phipps was nominated and elected unanimously as Vice Chair.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2023 Work Plan
• Continue brainstorming ideas for 2023 events/projects
• Plan 2023 Arbor Day (required to meet Tree City USA standards)
• Approve 2023 events/projects by consensus decision
• Update/save annual Work Plan in FTP server
Chair Cass had not accessed the Work Plan document already set up in the FTP server. Board
Members discussed potential projects and events for a tentative calendar.
o March — Make presentation to City Council (Contact: Chair Cass) - Ask Deb to coordinate
with City Council.
o April — Earth Day Tree Planting (Contact: Board Member Kliment) — Tree Board helps with
check in, safety, and handing out snacks.
o July - Edmonds in Bloom (Contact: Board Member Kliment)
o August - Tree Walk at City Park (Contact: Vice Chair Phipps/Board Member Stavig) —
Contact Arthur Lee Jacobson or Bess Bronstein.
o October — Arbor Day — Critical areas education; tree giveaway/raffle. Can the Tree Board
have access to the Parks' greenhouse? Councilmember Nand will ask Director Feser.
o TBD — Public education on tree removals related to critical areas — Vice Chair Phipps
suggested this could possibly be in conjunction with the consultant involved with the tree
code outreach efforts. Planner Tristan Sewell reviewed the different critical areas (slopes,
streams, wetlands, seismic risk, zoning, etc.). Vice Chair Phipps suggested neighborhood
meetings. Chair Cass wondered how much of Edmonds is considered critical areas. Planner
Sewell showed the online critical area map on the City website. There was a discussion
about how to get information out to the public.
o "Special Tree" designation (Contact: Board Member Lyons/Vice Chair Phipps). There was
a discussion about the differences between "specimen trees" and "heritage trees" and which
trees could be designated. Some ideas include installing tree plaques on downtown public
trees. If private property trees were designated, some property owners may not find the
designation advantageous. Board Member Lyon suggested making it an informal volunteer
program that people could opt out of. Councilmember Nand did not think it could become
burdensome or legally binding to the property owners if there is nothing that links that
designation to the code. There was a suggestion to start in 2023 with public trees and then
tie the designated trees to an event like a walk.
Motion made by Board Member Lyons, seconded by Chair Cass, to approve up to
$500 toward plaques for this project in 2023 (assuming that the 2023 budget will be
the same as last year/approximately $2,000). Motion passed unanimously.
Tree Board Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2023
Page 2 of 3
o Sierra Park Tree Identification Signs (Contact: Board Member Lyons) — Board Member
Lyons gave an update and reported that it is currently underway. Vice Chair Phipps
recommended being in touch with Parks Director Feser about this project. Chair Cass
recommended he also talk get in touch with former Bill Grant about this. Board Member
Lyon explained he was contacted by Director Feser, who said she was interested in
resuming the project since Mr. Grant resigned.
2. Administrative
Member position #1 vacancy — This is pending councilmember action. Councilmember Nand
suggested asking Council President Tibbott for an update.
Consider City Council meeting dates for annual Tree Board presentation — The Tree Board's goal
is to do this in the March timeframe.
TREE BOARD MEMBER IDEAS AND COMMENTS
Vice Chair Phipps asked for a discussion about a city street tree plan. There was discussion about the importance
of clarifying and addressing this. Councilmember Nand said she would be in favor of the Tree Board advocating
for street trees in the budget. She suggested potential approaches the Board could take to advocate for this with
regard to beautification, ecological benefit, social equity, and benefits to small businesses between the Edmonds
bowl business district and the other business districts. There was support for drafting a letter encouraging the
City Council to budget for street trees and to share this at the Council presentation. Board Member Dimmick
expressed concern about advocating for a street tree initiative unless it is part of a larger plan like Highway 99
where they really do need trees and can start from scratch so there is not interference with hardscaping and other
infrastructure. Councilmember Nand acknowledged the concerns but noted that if there is a public will to have
trees in certain areas, and the potential issues can be addressed, it should be pursued. Board Member Stavig also
asked for an updated list of approved street trees.
There was consensus to add this to the agenda for the next meeting along with potentially drafting of a letter to
City Council. Councilmember Nand suggested coordinating efforts with Director McLaughlin and Director
Feser.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Next meeting: February 2, 2023
Tree Board Meeting Minutes
April 7, 2023
Page 3 of 3