2015-02-05 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD
APPROVED MINUTES
February 5, 2015
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Chair Steve
Hatzenbeler in the Brackett Room, 3d Floor City Hall, 121 5'h Avenue North, Edmonds, WA.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Steve Hatzenbeler, Chair
Barbara Durr
Rick Zitzmann
Ronald Brightman
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Barbara Harrell
Anna Heckman, Vice Chair
Darcy MacPherson
Renee Travis, Alternate
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hatzenbeler called the meeting to order.
2. ROLL CALL
STAFF PRESENT
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
ELECTED OFFICALS PRESENT
Lora Petso, City Councilmember
ALSO PRESENT
Janice Freeman, Sustainable Edmonds
All board members were present with the exception of Board Members MacPherson, Harrell,
Heckman and Travis.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Hatzenbeler advised Item 6b, Right -of -Way and Easement Tree (not Street Tree) List, will be
rescheduled.
Board Member Zitzmann moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Board Member Durr. Motion
carried unanimously.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS - None
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. January 8, 2015 Minutes
This item was delayed to the March meeting.
6. DISCUSSION
a. Tree City USA Certification 2014-15
Chair Hatzenbeler relayed information from Vice Chair Heckman that she had officially applied
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with the State and expected the City's certification to be renewed this year. She had also emailed
Parks about improving City leadership related to tree activities but had not received a response.
Assuming the Tree Code is updated in 2015, Chair Hatzenbeler said the City may be eligible for a
growth award next year; he will confirm that with Vice Chair Heckman.
b. Rights -of -Way and Easement Tree (Not Street Tree) List
This item will be postponed to a future meeting agenda when Board Member MacPherson is
present. Discussion followed regarding the difference between street trees and right-of-way trees.
Chair Hatzenbeler relayed his understanding this is a Right -of -Way Tree List, not a Street Tree
List. He will confirm that with Board Member MacPherson, and if so, request that she change the
title.
Board members were asked to provide feedback to Board Member MacPherson regarding trees
on the list.
c. Goals for 2015, including:
Heritage Tree Program — Next Steps
Board Member Zitzmann said he plans to meet with Senior Planner Kernen Lien during February
to discuss the mechanism of establishing a program. A code change will be required to
implement the program.
• Outreach and Education
Chair Hatzenbeler described past education and outreach such as the Watershed Fair and a
booth at the Summer Market to answer questions. The Tree Board also inventoried the size and
species of trees on a few downtown streets and utilized a software program to determine the
benefits the trees provide. On Arbor Day the trees were labeled with the benefits.
Chair Hatzenbeler invited board members to inform of events that may be of interest to Tree
Board, and the Board will determine whether to have a representative at the event. Events are a
good opportunities to get out the "right tree, right place" message. He anticipated the Board will
participate in the Watershed Fair and the Arbor Day event in the fall.
• Tree Board Website Update — Suggestions?
Chair Hatzenbeler asked board members to visit the Tree Board website and provide suggested
improvements such as adding resources of interest or use to the public, tweaking the mission,
etc.
Chair Hatzenbeler described the Tree Board's ability to forward concerns regarding trees to the
appropriate staff member. He will contact staff regarding how to edit the Tree Board website.
• Staff Arborist
Chair Hatzenbeler explained since the employee who was an arborist retired, the City has not
had an arborist on staff. When an issue arises regarding tree health, either the citizen or the City
hires an arborist. There is a significant level of interest in having a staff arborist, a staff member
with arborist training or on -call arborist. Councilmember Petso suggested a staff person who is an
arborist is a greater possibility than a staff arborist.
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• Tree Code
Chair Hatzenbeler relayed Mr. Lien's response regarding review of the Tree Code update:
• Introduced to the Planning Board February 25.
o Tree Board representative encouraged to attend to discuss the Tree Board's review
and recommendation.
• Planning Board work session March 25
• Planning Board public hearing April 9
• Planning Board recommendation to Council May 13
• Full Council June 9
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Arbor Day Observation and Proclamation — When, Where, What?
Chair Hatzenbeler offered to research what the Tree Board has done in the past for spring or fall
Arbor Day observations and he invited board members to provide input regarding potential Arbor
Day events. As spring is not a good time to plant trees, the Tree Board's observance of Arbor
Day is usually done in October. He will check when the proclamation needs to be approved.
Councilmember Petso relayed the code requires the Tree Board provide an annual report to the
Council in December. She suggested amending the code so the annual report is provided at a
time that is more convenient time for the Council and the Tree Board such as coinciding with
Arbor Day.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Chair Hatzenbeler encouraged board members to contact him with any questions/concerns, or items
for the agenda (1'/2 weeks before the meeting).
Board Member Durr reported she recently had arborists from Seattle Tree Preservation assess
several large trees on her property.
Board Member Brightman suggested considering "Champion Trees of Washington State" by Robert
Van Pelt in regard to the Heritage Tree Program. He referred to several large, older trees in the north
end of the Evergreen Cemetery in Everett.
Chair Hatzenbeler reported he lost a battle with a developer to save a large Pine tree on 6th Avenue.
The required location of the curb and sidewalk would have significantly affected the critical root zone.
Janice Freeman remarked on the planting of trees in the right-of-way and removal of trees to
construct sidewalks.
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
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