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Ordinance 38070006.90000 WSS /gjz 9/14/10 ORDINANCE NO. 3807 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE EDMONDS CITY CODE, TITLE 10, TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER 10.95 CITIZENS TREE BOARD, AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. WHEREAS, the Edmonds City Council developed a sustainability agenda during their 2009 retreat; and WHEREAS, the Edmonds City Council enacted Resolution 1129 to adopt the United States (US) Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73rd Annual US Conference of Mayors; and WHEREAS, old growth forests have been heavily logged in the Pacific Northwest section of the US resulting in a significant loss of native conifers, and native deciduous trees including big leaf maples and red alders are in decline; and and WHEREAS, urban forests provide habitat for wildlife, including migratory birds; WHEREAS, urban forests lessen the effects of storm events by slowing the rate of surface water runoff and thus reducing the need for construction and maintenance of flood control structures; and WHEREAS, tree roots stabilize steep slopes minimizing the amount of soil erosion; and {WSS820599.DOC;1 \00006.900000\ } - I - and WHEREAS, urban forests improve air and water quality and sequester carbon; WHEREAS, the Edmonds City Council finds it to be in the public interest to establish a Citizens' Tree Board, one of the four steps to becoming certified as a Tree City USAO by the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO 16 ab._ 11 : =1]91011A&VI � Section 1. The Edmonds City Code, Title 10, is hereby amended by the adoption of a new Chapter 10.95 Citizens' Tree Board to read as follows: 10.95.010 Board created - membership 10.95.020 Officers of Board - meetings - forum. 10.95.030 Powers and duties. 10.95.010 Board created - membership. A. There is hereby created a Citizens' Tree Board consisting of up to seven (7) members plus one (1) alternate. Citizens must be Edmonds residents. It is recommended the Board include citizens from throughout the City (representing different watersheds and neighborhoods). Additionally, those with professional or hobbyist interest/experience in urban forestry, horticulture, and habitat enviroscaping are preferred; these may include arborists, botanists, horticulturists, native plant experts, master gardeners, wildlife experts, and related. The members shall be appointed in the following manner: Within thirty (30) days after this ordinance is passed, the City shall draft and publish an announcement seeking applicants for board membership. The standard City of Edmonds Citizen Board and Commission Application will be used. Prospective board members will have thirty (30) days to submit their application. Initially, each Councilmember will appoint one (1) Tree Board member within thirty (30) days following the close of the application period. The alternate member shall be appointed by the Council President or Mayor (as determined by the Council). The selections shall be made based on the qualifications described per the applications; {WSS820599.DOC;1 \00006.900000\ } - 2 - Councilmembers may also interview applicants at their discretion. Subsequent to the initial appointments, recommendations for renewal /replacements, when required, will be made by the full Council. B. " The term of appointment shall be four (4) years. However, initially, to ensure transitional consistency three (3) members shall be appointed to four (4) year terms and four (4) members (plus the alternate) shall be appointed to two (2) year terms. Councilmembers whose terms expire in 2011 shall appoint members to initial two (2) year terms. Councilmembers whose terms expire in 2013 shall appoint members to initial four (4) year terms. Thereafter, appointments shall coincide with the terms of newly elected Councilmembers. Each member, at his or her discretion, may seek renewal for one additional term. 10.95.020 Officers of Board - meetings - forum. Members of the Commission shall meet and organize by election, from the members of the Board, a chair and vice chair and other officers as may be determined by the Board. It shall be the duty of the chair to preside at all meetings. The vice chair shall perform this duty in the absence of the chair. A majority of the filled positions on the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Board is expected to meet monthly or as otherwise agreed to by the Board. The regular public meeting of the Board shall be held at such time or place as may be determined by the chair or a majority of the members of the Board. 10.95.030 Powers and duties. A. The Board is empowered to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council and, as appropriate, to the Planning Board and other boards or commissions of the /City on such matters including but not limited to: 1. Developing a tree ordinance designed to preserve and protect existing trees, encourage planting of additional trees, safeguard trees on parcels where construction or renovation is occurring or planned to occur, and encouraging the Edmonds citizenry to become active stewards of the urban forest. 2. Increasing community outreach and education regarding the value of trees, proper selection of trees, and correct methods for planting of and caring for trees. {WSS820599.DOC;1 \00006.900000\ 1 -3 - 3. Working with civic, religious, and citizen groups to organize invasive plant removal and native vegetation planting in accord with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. 4. Coordinating with other citizen groups to specific projects. 5. Facilitate relevant grant applications supporting ecology and watershed protection projects. 6. Sponsoring an annual Arbor Day Event. 7. Working towards achievement of Tree City USA® status. B. The Board shall provide an annual report to the City Council in December of each year. Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance, being an exercise of a power specifi- cally delegated to the City legislative body, is not subject to referendum, and shall take effect five (5) days after passage and publication of an approved summary thereof consisting of the title. APPROVED: &�- rt9-�- MAYOR, MIKE COOJD/LER ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: &.", - "L� W. ITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE APPROVED AS TO FORM: OFFICE OF( H Y A RNEY: BY W. SCOTT SNYDER IIIJ (WSS820599.DOC;1 \00006.900000\ ) - 4 - FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 09/17/2010 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 09/21/2010 PUBLISHED: 09/26/2010 EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2010 ORDINANCE NO. 3807 {WSS820599.DOC;1 \00006.900000\ } - 5 - SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 3807 of the City of Edmonds, Washington On the 21st day of September, 2010, the City Council of the City of Edmonds, passed Ordinance No. 3807. A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting of the title, provides as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE EDMONDS CITY CODE, TITLE 10, TO ADD A NEW CHAPTER 10.95 CITIZENS TREE BOARD, AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request. DATED this 22nd day of September, 2010. 'a�� "d - (�4� CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE {WSS820599.DOC;1 \00006.900000\ }- 6 -