2015-08-06 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD
APPROVL. MEETING MINUTES
August 6, 2015
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. by Tree
Board members present (Chair Steve Hatzenbeler arrived at 6:15) in the Brackett Room, 3d Floor City
Hall, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Steve Hatzenbeler, Chair
Ronald Brightman
Barbara Durr
Barbara Chase
Renee Travis (Alternate)
Crane Stavig
Jed Marshall
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Rick Zitzmann
1. CALL TO ORDER
STAFF PRESENT
none
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Joan Bloom —City Councilmember
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 pm by the Tree Board members present.
2. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
See above.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Hatzenbeler relayed Item 5, approval of July meeting minutes, was not applicable because the
July meeting did not have a quorum.
A motion was made by Board Member Brightman and seconded by Board Member Durr to approve
the agenda as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Scott Blomenkamp, Edmonds, a resident on 92nd Ave W near 232nd St, just west of a
redevelopment project under construction at 23220 Edmonds Way. The redevelopment project has
damaged roots of numerous trees on Mr. Blomenkamp's property. Mr. Blomenkamp has had many
conversations with City Staff who have not been able to explain how/why there were not restrictions
placed on the development to protect trees on his property, which appears to be required by the
Edmonds Community Development Code. He expressed frustration that the existing tree protection
codes are not being enforced. Significant tree roots have been cut and several trees may need to be
removed, per an arborist hired by Mr. Blomenkamp. He advised that the Tree Board push for City
Staff to enforce the existing tree protection codes, which he does not perceive to be convoluted,
unclear, or unenforceable, as reported by some staff members in recent years.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — June 2015
Postponed to September meeting.
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August 6, 2015
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6. OLD BUSINESS/DISCUSSION
a. Marina Beach PAC
Board Member Brightman summarized the final Marina Beach Master Plan recommendation from
the PAC. Details are available on the City of Edmonds website. A Planning Board Public Hearing
will be held August 12 and a City Council Public Hearing will follow later this year (date TBD).
b. Street Tree Plan Update
Board Member Brightman noted that he had followed up with Brad Shipley of the City of
Edmonds regarding removal of certain tree species from the street tree plan. He was expecting to
hear back from Mr. Shipley but had not as of the date of the meeting. Chair Hatzenbeler
requested that Mr. Brightman follow up with staff prior to the next board meeting.
c. Proposed Tree Code Progress
Chair Hatzenbeler met with Mayor Dave Earling and Development Services Director Shane Hope
the morning of August 6 to discuss the Tree Code proposal and how the Tree Board and
Staff/Administration could work together better in the future. Mayor Earling and Ms. Hope noted
that Staff and Administration felt they needed to allow the Tree Board to stay on the course of
proposing the Tree Code even though they had objections to the content; because the Tree
Board is not an Administrative body within City government, Staff and Administration did not feel
they should step in and request a re -work of some objectionable sections of the proposed Tree
Code. Ms. Hope confirmed that the recently -adopted Comprehensive Plan includes a provision
that an Urban Forestry Management Plan be adopted by the end of 2017. The Tree Board will
have a role providing input on the UFMP. Ms. Hope noted that some parts of the proposed Tree
Code will be included in the minor restructuring of the code that will take place this year; it is not
yet clear exactly which parts. Mayor Earling emphasized that the Tree Board should focus on
getting some positive messaging out in the community —events with publicity that can help to
shine a more positive light on the Tree Board. Ms. Hope noted that the City Council had recently
approved budget through the end of 2015 to provide staff support to the Tree Board.
d. Staff Arborist
Chair Hatzenbeler will follow up with Parks Maintenance Manager Rich Lindsay for an update.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. New Member Introductions
Barbara Chase, a retired teacher. She is especially interested in the educational aspect of the
Tree Board, and would like to see improvement in the educating the public on the value of trees.
She also is interested in educating the community on appropriate trees to choose for various
places in the City.
Crane Stavig, a landscaper/garden designer/expert pruner. Owns a landscaping business in
Edmonds.
Jed Marshall, a retired biologist with a Master's Degree in Forestry. Previously had a landscaping
business in Edmonds.
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b. Goals and interests for all Tree Board members
Emphasis will be on outreach and education to try to build some positive publicity in the
community. The group expressed considerable interest in continuing to educate the communicate
on the benefits of the "Right Tree, Right Place." Board members noted that it is not only big trees
that are beneficial; cumulatively, small trees can also provide environmental benefits. Helping the
community understand the value of trees (economic, environmental, aesthetic) will continue to be
a goal of the Tree Board.
c. Arbor Day observance
Mid October tree planting event will be planned, most likely at Yost Park with Edmonds Parks
Department. [Note: in a subsequent conversation with Rich Lindsay, Chair Hatzenbeler confirmed
the event will be October 17.1
d. Tree City USA certification for 2015
The group agreed to table this conversation pending confirmation of the hiring of Staff to help the
Tree Board. One of the primary functions of the contract employee is expected to be coordinating
the effort to complete the Tree City USA certification.
e. September 3 meeting
The group agreed to postpone the September 3 meeting to September 10 due to Chair
Hatzenbeler being out of town on the 3rd
f. Tree Board Vice Chair
Chair Hatzenbeler noted that he hoped Tree Board member Rick Zitzmann would be open to
taking the Vice Chair position. Mr. Zitzmann was not in attendance so Chair Hatzenbeler will
follow up with him prior to the September meeting.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Board Member Durr requested that a future meeting dedicate some time for her to present more
information on the Urban Forest Symposium she attended this year. She provided to Chair Hatzenbeler a
packet of information from Vancouver's Urban Forestry Program, and noted that Vancouver's program is
well funded and supported in the community.
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, September 10, 6:00 p.m., Brackett Room, City Hall
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