2015-03-05 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD
APPROVED MINUTES
March 5, 2015
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at 6:14 p.m. by Vice Chair Heckman in
the Brackett Room, 3rd Floor City Hall, 121 5t' Avenue North, Edmonds, WA.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Steve Hatzenbeler, Chair (arrived 6:18 p.m.)
Anna Heckman, Vice Chair
Ronald Brightman
Barbara Durr
Barbara Harrell
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Darcy MacPherson
Rick Zitzmann
Renee Travis (Alternate)
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Heckman called the meeting to order.
2. ROLL CALL
See above.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Joan Bloom — City Councilmember
Board Member Harrell moved to approve the agenda; seconded by Board Member Durr. Motion
carried unanimously.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Roger Hertrich, Edmonds, said he was assured his rights as a private property owner would be
protected; after attending the Planning Board meeting where they reviewed the Tree Code, he felt
that was not the case. He objected to the requirement for an $800 permit to cut a tree on his own
property. He was told the cost of permits and fines in the ordinance were taken from the Critical
Areas Ordinance and likely would be modified. He suggested the Tree Board do good things such as
address the loss of trees due to ivy and consider the affect that the tree canopy has on solar energy.
He relayed many people are opposed to the proposed Tree Code. He cited the importance of views
and referred to language in the Comprehensive Plan regarding preservation of public views which
was not referenced in the Tree Code. He summarized he planted most of the trees on his property
and he will cut them all if he has to before the Tree Code is adopted.
Colleen Baum, Edmonds, (The Orchard, where 91" Avenue N becomes Puget Drive) referred to a
right-of-way island that originally had no trees; when a tree was transplanted there, the City assured
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the residents it would never affect their view. That tree and another tree now take least 30% of her
view and she continues to be taxed for the view. Vice Chair Heckman explained a Tree Board
Member is working on recommended tree list; the intent is trees in the right place. She recognized in
areas of the City that have views, trees can have a negative impact on residential values; however in
areas that do not have views, trees can have a positive effect on residential value. She noted the
importance of balance and education with regard to the right tree.
Ms. Marks, Edmonds, (The Orchard), explained the development's landscape plan included two
rows of Leyland Cypresses behind her house. When they purchased the house, the trees were
fence -high and she was told they would grow to screen the condo building across the street. An
arborist suggested she contact PUD about removing the first row of trees below the power lines. She
planned to pay to have the second row adjacent to the fence pruned. When PUD's contractor began
work, the City issued a Cease and Desist Notice. She spent $250 to apply for a permit and the City
provided her Publication 46, Tree and Vegetation Protection and Removal, which she felt was a very
poorly written brochure. She plans to replace the trees with shrubs. The trees are in a common area
and she was told a permit was required because it changed the approved landscape design.
Discussion followed regard the growth pattern of Leyland Cyprus, lack of a City arborist, developing a
comprehensive Tree Code to ensure the right trees are planted, the process of developing and
approving a Tree Code, restrictions on changing the landscaping in a PRD, the Tree Board as an
advisory not regulatory board, why the City originally approved planting a Leyland Cyprus, trees that
can be removed under the proposed Tree Code, a suggestion for a 2-year moratorium on tree cutting
for a developer that illegally cuts trees, residents who cut trees they planted not knowing how tall they
would grow, trees' value to the environment and concern with the loss of canopy, layering trees to
preserve views, and staff's comments to residents that the City does not prune for views.
Vice Chair Heckman suggested they call Public Works about the trees in the island. She also
encouraged them to review the proposed Tree Code and provide input.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. December 4, 2014 Minutes
Board Member Harrell moved to approve the December 4, 2014 minutes; seconded by Vice Chair
Heckman Motion carried unanimously.
b. January 8, 2015 Minutes
Board Member Harrell moved to approve the January 8, 2015 minutes; seconded by Board
Member Durr. Motion carried unanimously.
c. February 5, 2015 Minutes
Vice Chair Heckman moved to approve the February 5, 2015 minutes; seconded by Board
Member Durr. Motion carried unanimously.
6. DISCUSSION
a. Tree City USA Certification 2014-15
Vice Chair Heckman reported she is working with Park Maintenance Manager Rich Lindsay to
have the City take over Arbor Day planning as well as statistics related to the number of trees
removed and planted annually and finances. Councilmember Bloom observed the difficulty is the
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City has not provided funding for staff report for the Tree Board. The City may not understand
what is required to obtain/maintain Tree City USA Certification.
b. Goals for 2015, including:
Heritage Tree Program
Chair Hatzenbeler recalled Board Member Zitzmann planned to discuss with Senior Planner
Kernen Lien how to proceed. He will request an update from Board Member Zitzmann.
• Outreach and Education
Chair Hatzenbeler recalled last month the board discussed having board members bring ideas
about events. Some events the Tree Board has participated in the past include the Watershed
Fun Fair and a booth at the Farmers Market. Vice Chair Heckman referred to the Urban Trees
along Streams project done via a partnership between Sound Salmon Solutions and WSU
Extension that identified several properties in Edmonds; they are doing outreach with those
properties now. She suggested having Andy Noone, Sound Salmon Solutions, speak to the Tree
Board. She is making a presentation to the Floretum Garden Club in May about right tree, right
place.
Board Member Brightman offered to contact Plant Amnesty regarding a pruning presentation late
summer, early fall.
Chair Hatzenbeler encouraged board members to inform the board about events of interest.
• Right -of -Way and Easement Tree (not Street Tree) List
Chair Hatzenbeler read an email from Board Member MacPherson clarifying the intent of the list.
He encouraged board members with the knowledge about appropriate trees to forward comments
to Board Member MacPherson. He was uncertain what the next steps are for finalizing the list.
Vice Chair Heckman commented the intent was for this to be an educational tool; the official
Street Tree List was developed by staff.
Chair Hatzenbeler reported the City is updating the Street Tree Plan and a draft update will be
presented to the Planning Board at their next meeting. It will be reviewed by the Tree Board at
some point.
• Tree Board Website Update
Chair Hatzenbeler encouraged board members to review the website and to suggest
improvements. Board Member Durr suggested making it a resource for the public.
• Staff Arborist
Councilmember Bloom reported this week's vouchers included payments for ISA professional
membership, ISA certified arborist application and ISA certification fee. Development Services
Director Shane Hope informed her it was to certify a Parks Department staff person.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation — When, Where, What?
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Vice Chair Heckman reported cities celebrate Arbor Day in the spring, or in fall when Washington
DNR does an Urban Forestry celebration day because fall is better time to plant trees in this area.
She suggested organizing a planting event in October. She will get details from Parks and
present at next month's meeting.
b. Tree Board Staff Support from City: What Would Help Us Further Our Agenda?
Chair Hatzenbeler commented it would valuable to the Tree Board to have staff support to further
the Tree Board's agenda, especially education and outreach, staff to organize the Arbor Day
event with the Tree Board as a resource, reaching out to DNR with regard to a planting event,
etc.
Councilmember Bloom explained she was on the Tree Board before she was a Councilmember
and she is now the Council liaison. When the Tree Board was formed by Council, there was no
staff available to attend meetings and provide support. In the recent past the Tree Board was
provided a minute taker and a monitor; Mr. Lien assisted during the development of the Tree
Code but there is no dedicated staff support other than the Council Executive Assistant who
provides clerical support to the Tree Board. Other boards and commissions in the City have staff
support.
Councilmember Bloom suggested informing the Council during the Tree Board's annual report
what support is needed. Commissioners identified the following areas where support is needed:
• Attend Tree Board meetings
• Assist Chair with preparing agendas and noticing/advertising meetings and events
• Address issues raised by the public at meetings
• Central contact for Tree City USA application (access to information) and submit
application and accountable for meeting terms
• Organize Arbor Day and other events
• Pursue grants
• Coordinate outreach and education including presentations to Tree Board
• Advertise events
• Update website and post educational material
Councilmember Bloom said she hopes to have a discussion regarding equity for boards and
commissions on a future Council agenda. She suggested scheduling the Tree Board report to
Council prior to that.
c. Council Presentation: Set a Date and Brainstorm Discussion Topics
Vice Chair Heckman suggested scheduling the Tree Board report and Tree City USA
Proclamation on April 21. [The date of the Council presentation was subsequently changed to
April 14.]
Chair Hatzenbeler suggested discussing at the April meeting (he will be absent) or establishing a
subcommittee to brainstorm ideas for the presentation to Council. Vice Chair Heckman offered to
prepare an outline highlighting accomplishments such as the Tree Code and what the Board
would like to accomplish in future.
d. Marina Beach Project Advisory Committee (PAC)
Chair Hatzenbeler commented it would be valuable to have a Tree Board Member on the PAC.
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The plan is to have four meetings, the next one is Friday, March 20, 8 — 9:30 a.m. in Brackett
Room. Board Member Brightman offered to participate; he will contact another board member if
he is unable to attend.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Chair Hatzenbeler reported he attended the Planning Board meeting last week where Mr. Lien
introduced the Tree Code. The Planning Board's initial feedback was positive and negative; they
recognized this would be a big change and there would be pushback and growing pains. The Planning
Board raised several questions including some regarding views. Edmonds is in a unique position
because of the need to balance views with trees. He encouraged board members and the public to
attend the Planning Board work session on March 25 and public hearing on April 9. [The date of the
public hearing was subsequently changed to May 13]. The Planning Board will make their
recommendation on May 13 and it will be presented to the Council on June 9. [The date of the Planning
Commission's recommendation and presentation to the Council were subsequently changed to TBD.]
Chair Hatzenbeler reported he met with Ms. Hope to discuss how the Tree Code will integrate with the
development code rewrite and participated in a conference call with the consultant that is assisting with
the rewrite. He informed Ms. Hope that the Tree Board would like to continue to be involved in some
capacity. Board members may be interested in attending the March 11 open house regarding the
development code rewrite.
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 9, 6:00 p.m., Brackett Room, City Hall
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