2023-03-02 Tree Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
TREE BOARD
Summary Minutes of Regular Meeting
March 2, 2023
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Cass called the Tree Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Board Members Present
Janelle Cass, Chair
Bill Phipps, Vice Chair
Chris Eck
Wendy Kliment
Kevin Fagerstrom
Board Members Absent
Ross Dimmick, Alt. (excused)
Crane Stavigl(excused)
Andy Lyon
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Board Member Eck read the land acknowledgement.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Staff Present
Deb Powers, Urban Forest Planner
Others Present
Jenna Nand, Edmonds City Council Liaison
4Ev
Chair Cass proposed moving New Business items 1, 2, and 3 to Unfinished Business as items 5, 6 and 7.
Board Member Phipps asked to add the following topics under New Business: a discussion about starting a tree
voucher program in Edmonds; a discussion about a letter sent to the Tree Board; a discussion about getting tree
retention plan information on certain new developments. The tree voucher item and the discussion about the
letter were added to New Business as items 1 and 2. Due to a full agenda, the development information item
was added to the April agenda. Board Member Phipps also requested an update about Sierra Park in April.
The agenda was approved as amended.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
' Vice Chair Phipps noted that Board Member Stavig had tried to get into the meeting for over an hour but was
unsuccessful.
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There were no audience comments.
MINUTES:
Approval of February 2, 2023 Tree Board Minutes
The February 2, 2023 Tree Board minutes were approved as presented.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
April 22 Earth Day Planning Discussion
Board Member Kliment reported that Parks is happy to have the Board's help. She asked who is going
to be able to participate. Board Members Cass and Eck will help at Yost Park. Board Member
Fagerstrom and his wife and Board Member Kliment will be at Pine Ridge. Board Member Kliment
will also be helping distribute snacks. Board Member Phipps will be at both parks to help set up.
The Board approved a $60 budget for Earth Day event snacks.
2. October 7 Arbor Day Planning Discussion
There was discussion about how the giveaway was handled in the past and consensus to give away
about 70 small trees and to get a few larger trees for the raffle this year. Vice Chair Phipps recalled he
spent about $700 on trees last year. There was consensus to put this on the agenda again for further
discussion about the trees when Board Member Stavig is present. Vice Chair Phipps noted there is a
grant opportunity through DNR which would match 50% of the cost. Councilmember Nand thought
that the Foundation has also donated trees in the past. The Tree Board needs to submit the $40
registration to reserve their spot at the market on October 7.
The Board approved a budget of $40 for the registration fee.
The Board approved a budget of $800 for Earth Day tree giveaways.
Annual Work Plan for Director's Approval
There was a general discussion about the anticipated costs for this years' Work Plan events and activities
so that the final Work Plan could be submitted for 2023 budget approval. Councilmember Nand asked
if the Tree Board would have the opportunity to write something for the Edmonds Beacon and My
Edmonds News about what they are doing like the Mayor's Climate Protection Committee was able to
do. Ms. Powers indicated she would check on that and report back.
4. Annual Presentation to City Council
Chair Cass reviewed her draft presentation and made edits as recommended by the Board and staff as
she went. She will be presenting to the City Council next Tuesday, March 7th.
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Consider Updates to Homeowners Tree List (continued to April meeting)
6. Consider Heritage Tree Program (continued to April meeting)
7. Staff Updates: status on Critical Areas Maps, Tree Code Amendment/Public Engagement
Critical Areas Maps: Ms. Powers demonstrated on the online GIS map how to navigate and find
information related to critical areas and slopes. General clarification questions and answers followed
about tree removals and critical areas. There was also discussion about proposed legislation at the state
level that is currently being considered and how the legislation may impact Edmonds.
Tree Code Amendments/Public Engagement: Ms. Powers noted there were no new updates on the Tree
Code Amendments project since the joint meeting on December 14 with the Planning Board. She will
be meeting with the Planning Board again on March 8. The consultant has drafted a robust Public
Engagement Plan which will be presented at that meeting. Staff will be looking to the Planning Board
to see if the Public Engagement Plan is adequate. There was general discussion about issues surrounding
homeowner tree removals. Councilmember Nand said she would like to see a citywide policy on tree
retention requirements. Ms. Powers explained that limits to property owner tree removals is what the
Planning Board and staff will be working on next. Chair Cass spoke to the importance of educating
people about the negative impacts of removing trees in critical areas.
NEW BUSINESS
Discussion about starting a tree voucher program
Vice Chair Phipps said he could give a report next month on what he learned from Lynnwood's tree
voucher program. He also offered to see if someone from Lynnwood could join them for a
discussion/presentation. This item was continued to the April meeting.
2. Letter from citizen about pending development on a property located on 88th
Ms. Powers had presented a letter that was addressed to the Tree Board from Echo Wiley, who was
upset about development occurring in her neighborhood. Ms. Powers has submitted the letter as a public
comment on the relevant project. Ms. Wiley's contact information was added to the listsery for folks
who are interested in getting updates on the Tree Code Amendment project. Ms. Powers said she would
look into what is being proposed and report back at the next meeting. This topic will be continued on
the agenda for next month for follow-up.
TREE BOARD CHAIR, MEMBER COMMENTS
Vice Chair Phipps requested information about how the tree code would work on a specific property under
development next to Sierra Park. Ms. Powers offered to resend an email she had previously sent him with
resources so that anyone could look up proposed development projects.
ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Next meeting: April 6, 2023
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