2012-02-02 Tree Board Minutesr
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City of Edmonds
Citizen Tree Board
Minutes
February 2, 2012
Members present: John Botton, Anna -Marie Heckman, Laura Spehar, Sandy Seligmiller
Members Absent: none
Staff Present: Planner Kernen Lien, Arborist Dave Timbrook
The meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm by Anna Marie Heckman.
The January 2012 minutes were approved with no corrections.
There were no audience comments, reports or presentations.
Unfinished business:
There was a discussion about our upcoming role and expectations in revising, and advising
about, the existing tree codes.
Anna spoke about her participation on the Board's behalf at the Edmonds Alive environmental
open house event on January 10. She had our webpage available on her laptop, received lots
of questions about us and about tree concerns, and made potential partnership contacts.
Anna announced that it is "99% confirmed" that Edmonds is a `Tree City USA'. As such, we
will be eligible to earn Growth Awards each year for public outreach activities and events,
increase professional contacts, enhance public pride, and have a much greater opportunity to
receive grants and other funding for tree and urban forestry programs that contribute to our
goals. Our Tree City USA status is maintained by consistently working toward good tree
resource management. It is expected that we will receive our official certification on National
Arbor Day in April.
Upcoming plans for speakers at our meetings were discussed. Tentative speakers and dates
are as follows:
March & April— representatives from City departments with tree management issues
May— Chris Anderson, WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
? Linden Mead, Dept. of Natural Resources
There was a discussion about Chapter 18:45 (Land Clearing and Tree Cutting Code). We
heard about specific problems with using this code at this time, including vague language,
permit confusion, valuing trees, monetary fine amounts, and who determines disease factors.
We talked about tree valuation methods endorsed by the International Society of Arborists.
We also discussed why we need to hear from various city departments about their own tree
management issues.
It was reaffirmed that tree code revision was given to the Tree Board as one of our original
goals established by the city council. Our first year as a board was spent establishing our-
selves and achieving Tree City USA status. This year we are establishing long-term powers
and duties. Work on revising our Municipal Tree Code will take some time.
New Business:
What committees/ leads are needed?
Archivist/Secretary Sandy
Environmental education Laura
PR (The Beacon, others)
City Council liason
Arbor Day
Tree Code
Grants and Funding
Science education liason Anna
Miscellaneous discussion followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 pm.
Respectfully submitted by:
Sandy Seligmiller
Friday, February 10, 2012