2017-09-07 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD
Meeting Notes
SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Steve
Hatzenbeler in the City Council Chambers, 250 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Steve Hatzenbeler, Chair
Doug Petersen, Co Chair
Vivian Olson, Vice Chair
Albert (Jed) Marshall
William (Bill) Phipps
Barbara Chase
Frank Caruso
Gail Lovell
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
N/A
GUESTS OR AUDIENCE PRESENT
Dawna Lahti
Julia Munger, consultant from Herrera, Inc.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hatzenbeler called the meeting to order.
2. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
STAFF PRESENT
Rich Lindsay, Parks Manager
ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT
Diane Buckshnis, City Councilmember
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Agenda approved after "Grant Ideas" from Julia Munger was added to "New Business"
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Dawna Lahti communicated with us regarding the Shell Creek Holy Rosary planting project. They
have refreshments covered but were hoping to get a tent to use (we do not have one to offer). They
also need weeders on Sep 16 from 9-12. Vivian, Frank, and Jed will represent the Tree Board there
on this date. The planting event for the same area is on Oct 28th. Frank and Gail have already
committed to represent the Tree Board for that. We hope to provide a third Tree Board member from
the pool of Vivian, Steve or Jed (all maybe's). This project was on agenda as old business, but as it
is covered in the notes here, is not repeated under Old Business below.
5. APPROVAL OF MEETING NOTES
There were no corrections and the August notes were approved as submitted.
6. OLD BUSINESS/DISCUSSION
• Edmonds Summer Market event (Sep 30). A discussion ensued about types of trees to represent
in the raffle of trees (smaller for properties with views or in paths of views and larger for properties
Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting Notes
September 7, 2017
Page 1
without that concern) and the sapling giveaway. Doug has already done research and is
providing a list of available saplings (costing $.60 - $1.00) to the Tree Board members via email if
anyone wants input to the type selected beyond the factors discussed at the meeting (max height
at maturity 25 feet for the saplings since we don't know who/ what type of property they are going
to). We had hoped to get Italian plum saplings but they are not available; they would need to be
ordered now for next year (we discussed whether or not we should do that but no decision was
made). There was a motion from Frank Caruso to get 50 saplings. After some discussion, there
was a motion by Steve to amend the motion to 40 trees. It was seconded by Gail and passed
unanimously by the board.
We will be getting a 4 foot tall coral bark maple for the "view concern" raffle from Rich Lindsay
and will buy a tree of similar size (at this time) for the "non -view concern" property raffle (likely a
Rocky Mountain Juniper). Gail pointed out that Swanson's Nursery has 30% off in September.
We need to find the Tree City USA banner prior to the market event on Sep 30. Last known time
in use was the Hutt Park weeding event. We think Councilwoman Diane Buckshnis may know
where it is. Rich Lindsay was also going to check with Jesse in Parks Department.
All items for the raffle (ballots, fish bowls or boxes, etc) and the folding chairs are Vivian's
responsibility
Steve will make sure we have literature to handout
Doug will continue his good work on the tree order (he will create labels for the raffle trees and
saplings or will assign another board member to do so)
Doug and Steve will do setup starting at 730am and will work the booth that first shift from 9-11
Gail and Bill will work the 11-1 shift
Frank and either Barbara or Vivian will work the final shift
Arbor Day event October 7th from 10am-2pm at Hickman Park, 23700 104th Ave W, Edmonds.
Rich Lindsay, Parks Manager has detailed the project, which includes replanting a rain garden,
including 100 native plants in three zones. The City will be providing 97 plants and one tree as
well as shovels, rakes, gloves, 2 tents and 3 tables. They will put up the Tree City USA banner
once we find it and will mark areas for planting with colored flags. There are portable toilets on
site. Rich is having trouble getting confirmation from boy scouts that they are in on the project. If
confirmation is not forthcoming soon he will look for other volunteers.
The Tree Board will contribute $1000 - $1500 toward the plantings and will provide refreshments
for the volunteers. Jed will be in charge of getting the coffee, Gail will get cookies, water
dispensers with water and the plates, napkins and cups, and Vivian will arrange for the pizzas (6
large).
Rich says it would be fine to provide brochures and info on Tree Board and our mission.
It was not discussed but Vivian is looking into access to electrical and whether or not we can
borrow an amp to have music during the event.
Edmonds UFMP Tree Board sub committee consisting of Steve, Bill and Vivian met on Wed, Aug
23. It was for the purpose of seeing if there was a message we would want to put forth re the
UFMP — i.e., the Tree Board stand on it. Discussion at the Tree Board meeting- about the
discussion at this subcommittee meeting- led to embracing the idea (put forth by Jed) of
"communicating our concerns about what the UFMP will or won't address" rather than a "where
we stand" statement. We also discussed what the right forum and timing would be for the
communication once it was formed. No decisions were made.
Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting Notes
September 7, 2017
Page 2
Another subcommittee topic that was brought to the Board was Bill's idea that a nature
conservancy (such as those in Kirkland) would be one way to preserve tree canopy in our
community where pressures to develop density challenge our ability to succeed at that on
residential properties. He mentioned that the private land between Woodinville and South County
Park would be a perfect target for a conservancy purchase. Doug and/or Steve and/or Jed
thought that Forterra (formerly named the Cascade Land Trust) was such an organization that
would make such a conservancy purchase. Bill is going to contact Forterra to see what he can
find out.
7. NEW BUSINESS
Barbara spoke about the Floretum Garden Club workshop on Sat Oct 21 (one of several put
on in a year) which will be on the topic of trees and will be put on jointly by the Tree Board
and an arborist Barbara used recently who was willing to speak. Jed, Doug, Barbara, Gail
and Frank are all able to support the event and Barbara is coordinating who will speak on
what topic. The meeting room at Coldwell Banker Bain is from 10-12 but that includes
questions.
• Tree Board Member terms were adjusted (shortened by one year) as a result of an ordinance
update that syncs Tree Board member terms with those of the city council members
• Julia Munger of Herrera, Inc reported her findings re grants available to our City:
WA DNR Tree City USA recipients may apply for grants for planting and maintenance -
There are $15K grants available for replacement of losses to natural events, pruning, demo
tree planting or informational outreach activities. There is also a reimbursement available for
up to $500 for Arbor Day events (requests/ receipts must be submitted within 30 days of
event.
There is also a grant offered by the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation for the planting of an urban
orchard (with commitment by the grant recipient to maintain the orchard into perpetuity). This
grant is available to cities and to private entities. We did not yet come up with a way the City
could take advantage of this, but it seems that United Methodist Church may be a good
candidate- they have a lot of land and an orchard would support their established Food Bank.
More discussion about these and the draft of the trifold brochure (which was an incredibly
wonderful first edition!) next meeting as time was running out at this one.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER IDEAS AND COMMENTS:
Doug attended the Taming Bigfoot meeting and found out there that the money we provided for
printing of the brochure was not used for that since the services were donated; the Taming Bigfoot
Committee asked if we were okay with that budget supporting some other aspect of the Taming
Bigfoot campaign. It was unanimously agreed by the Board.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board adjourned at 813M.
Next meeting: Thursday, Oct 5th at 6:00 PM, Council Chambers.
Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting Notes
September 7, 2017
Page 3