2019-05-02 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD L �Q
APPROVED Meeting Notes
May 2, 2019 '
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Co -Chair Vivian Olson
in the City Council Chambers at the Edmonds Public Safety Complex.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Vivian Olson, Co -Chair
Bill Phipps, Co -Chair
Frank Caruso, Vice Chair
Doug Petersen
Steve Hatzenbeler
Gail Lovell
Barbara Chase
Suzanne Juergensen
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
None
STAFF PRESENT
Jeanie McConnell, Engineering Division
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Diane Buckshnis —City Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER
Co -Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 6:03.
2. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The following items were added to the agenda:
• New Business: Barbara's neighbor with a nice garden and nice trees; arrange a visit
• Old Business: Bill added discussion of Tree Tags
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Denise Miller of the Edmonds Neighborhood Action Coalition (ENAC) attended to see what the Tree
Board is up to. The ENAC attempts to get a representative to all City commission/board meetings to
keep informed on what is happening.
Kristine Wear lives south of Old Woodway HS and has a few healthy cedar trees near the property
line shared with her neighbor, that the neighbor wants to aggressively prune or remove. Two of them
right on the property line are approx 20 years old and were extensively pruned about 4 yrs ago; the
third is further from the property line and much older and larger. All have limbs and roots crossing the
Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting Notes
May 2, 2019
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property line. The neighbor wants the trees pruned (including root pruning) to the property line for
installation of a new concrete driveway, and also to keep the trees further from the home so there is
not so much tree debris on the property. Kristine has spoken to two arborists who have expressed
conflicting perspectives on how much disturbance the trees can tolerate and how risky it would be to
their health to be substantially pruned. She asked if the Tree Board could provide any advice. We
discussed the impacts and suggested that Kristine visit Development Services on the 2nd floor at
City Hall to get advice on the situation to see if any development codes apply to the project her
neighbor is proposing.
5. APPROVAL OF MEETING NOTES
April meeting notes were approved with a motion by Frank Caruso, 2nd by Doug Petersen. Motion to
approve the meeting notes passed unanimously.
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Recap Earth Day Event, April 20
Good TB representation and good turnout. Lots of progress was made in removing ivy at City
Park. Thanks to all who participated.
b. CRAZE publication and presentation plans
The text Doug provided for a blurb in the upcoming CRAZE publication was approved and will be
in the next issue. The TB will be hosting an informational event centered on the two recent tri-fold
brochures. The event is scheduled for October 12 at the Frances Anderson Center. Intent at this
point is for the presentation to be just discussion, with no visuals. Doug will keep us posted on
specifics.
c. Small Trees Brochure Status
Suzanne submitted a few final edits to Shane Hope. Steve made a motion to request printing of
500 copies, seconded by Barbara. Motion passed unanimously.
d. UFMP Status Updates, if any
Jeanie McConnell passed along updates from Development Services Director Shane Hope. Many
changes have been incorporated, as follows (list forwarded from Shane via Jeanie):
1. Since the November 2018 draft UFMP was issued and comments received, a small
informal advisory group was formed to clarify specific changes that were desired. (This
group consisted of Tree Board representatives, City Council Tree Board liaison, a Planning
Board representative, one or two citizens that have been actively involved in the UFMP
process, and several City staff that do tree -related work.)
2. Based on public input and suggestions from the informal group, various changes have
been requested of the consultant for this project, both deletions and additions. The
requested changes include:
A. Deletions of parts of the draft UFMP that were deemed not useful or accurate enough,
such as removing: References to specific "opportunity areas" and places for "potential"
tree canopy in the text; Tables and narrative identifying specific dollar amounts for the
value of various tree types' to stormwater, etc. (while still recognizing broadly that trees
are good for reducing stormwater run-off problems); Clarifications about parks data;
B. Technical edits, especially to correct: Numbers; Use of language; References; and
Citations
C. Changes re: Major & Emerging Diseases and Pests —specific new language
recommended by TB member Frank Caruso (and confirmed by key city staff)
D. Other additions, such as: Labels on photos; More information on City's regulatory
framework; Tree protection incentives information; Option for City purchase of forested
properties; More explanation of "right tree, right place"; Caveat about what the
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May 2, 2019
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summarized survey of local residents actually means; More discussion of trees and
views, along with acceptable pruning methods.
3. The project consultant is currently working to incorporate the recommended changes and
do the necessary reformatting. We don't have a re -submittal date yet, but expect it will be
within the next 3 weeks.
4. The City Council's Public Safety, Personnel, and Planning Committee is scheduled to get a
status update on May 14 re: the UFMP process.
5. A revised draft UFMP will be shared with the Tree Board at or before its June meeting.
6. The Draft UFMP will be brought back to the City Council, probably in June, for
consideration and possible adoption.
7. After UFMP adoption, implementation (for example, updating of Street Tree Plan) can get in
gear.
e. Action, if any, to request regarding trees on 3rd Ave topped by PUD (discussed last
month)
Steve raised a concern that the tree topping that PUD did on 3rd Ave could be perceived by PUD
as a precedent allowing tree topping of other street trees throughout the City. Steve asked that
the TB send a letter to Development Services, Public Works, and/or Parks requesting that PUD
modify their tree pruning practices to not include topping. Steve will draft a memo and send it
Jeanie McConnell and Phil Williams.
f. Updates regarding Farmer's Market booth Sept 7
Barbara has been in contact with Farmer's Market coordinator and requested the booth for that
weekend, and will follow up with her to confirm we are reserved. Doug commented that he got a
small bare -root seedling from PUD at an event, and it could be something the TB uses in the
future. The tree was from Fourth Corner Nurseries.
g. Tree Tags
Bill said the plan is to put up the tree tags around July 4 for a couple weeks. Hoping to include
trees in some other neighborhoods such as Firdale Village and/or 5 Corners, Westgate, etc.
Steve, Frank, and Doug will help with the tree tag preparation and installation/tear-down.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Arts Commission Collaboration
No news; discuss at a later meeting
b. Over -Planting at 620 Glen St brought to our attention; Share history
Kernen Lien will attend the June TB meeting to explain the particulars of the different zoning and
landscaping requirements.
c. Arbor Day
Our Arbor Day event will be October 5. The expected location, recommended by Parks Manager
Rich Lindsay is on the south side of Main St near Pioneer Way, expanding an area we planted a
few years ago with installation of some larger trees. Vivian and Barbara will visit the site and
report back to the TB on how it looks.
d. Transit Activity (and resultant tree impact)
Sound Transit will be removing many (thousands) trees for the upcoming light rail construction.
TB members have read that the removed trees will be replaced at a 5:1 ratio; it's unclear if that
will be near the locations where they are removed or if it will be at other sites or in tree banks.
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May 2, 2019
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e. Barbara's neighbor's property with nice trees
Barbara will organize a visit to her friend's yard in the Seaview neighborhood to see some of the
impressive tree species she has. The preliminary plan is to meet there at 5:00 on June 6, and
then go to the TB meeting after. Barbara will follow up with an email confirmation.
f. Edmonds In Bloom Garden Tour Status Update
Gail reported that the Garden Tour will be 7/21/19 and the TB will be identifying noteworthy trees
in the 6 gardens. Gail, Frank, and Suzanne will be identifying the trees for signs that will be
posted at the gardens.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, June 27 @ 6:00 p.m., City Council Chambers
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May 2, 2019
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