Urban Forestry Commission

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 21, 2022 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Meeting Location: 300 Park Ave, Dogwood Room Attendees UFC members: Amy Crumpton (Chair), Stephanie Lamore (Vice Chair) Jennifer Anderson, Tim Roche, Alison Miller (Secretary) City Council Liaison: Letty Hardi UFC Student Representative: Katharine Hall City Staff Liaison: Charles Prince (Arborist) Members of the Public: Sandy Tarpinian, Sophia Davis,, PeterMarkham and Peng Si Highnam Other guests: Public Utilities Commission: Michael Doctor, Marcell Davis, Julie Hamilton, Daniel Kirk, Martha Haines, and City staff liaison Tony Dudley 1) Call to Order - the meeting was called to order at 7:30p.m. by Amy Crumpton. 2) Roll Call 3) Approval of the August Minutes. August 2022 UFC Meeting Minutes were approved. 4) Public Comments 5) Special Business (1 hour): Joint Meeting with the Public Utilities Commission: a) Presentation by the Public Utilities Commission Dan Kirk presented the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) materials. He provided an overview of the history of a utilities commission and why they were reestablished in 2021. The PUC will focus on stormwater and sewer projects, capital improvements and fee structure. The PUC is also discussing several other agendas to focus on over the next year (eg determine metrics that matter). The PUC has been meeting monthly, but exploring changing meeting cadence to every other month.  Letty wanted to highlight that we are not in crisis mode, but the PUC and UFC should be thinking about upstream policies so we don’t have another crisis. Gray infrastructure can only go so far to ensure we are resilient against the growing threat of stronger storms. There are policies that Arlington has put in place that we should review. Question was asked about where the stormwater eventually goes. In Falls Church City our water goes to Tripps or Cameron run downstream. b) Presentation by the Urban Forestry Commission Amy gave an overview of the Urban Forestry Commission (UFC). Charles gave an overview of arborist duties and the itree program. Request from citizen to meet with Virginia Department of Forestry speaker (Jim McGlone) on urban forestry. He is speaking at the upcoming VPIS membership meeting on November 13, 3-5 pm, at the American Legion Post. Amy will share that information. Question about residential requirement for 20% tree canopy in 10 years. Specifically how we measure tree canopy and how we ensure that trees stay planted after inspection (bonds). Amy also identified areas of opportunity for collaboration in her reading of the Stormwater Task Force Report. c) Discussion of Issues of Mutual Concern Related to Stormwater Management Other Comments: Question from a citizen about how we intend to educate the community? We discussed speaker programs, Falls Church news outlets, and student events. Tim Roche will lead the effort to come up with 52 tips. 6) Staff updates and Informational Items: a) City Council Calendar ● The Commission Thank You lunch was fun and well attended! ● Monday’s Council meeting was focused on transportation ● East End Small Area Plan will begin its review, but is the early phases ● August Council Meeting approved their 2 year work plan. Letty offered to give a read out at our next meeting. ● October Council meeting will review budget amendments b) Staff Updates Founders II came back for review and Charles met with them in person to discuss further. Charles will do his review and flag any major changes. They committed to multi-tree edge planters. Washington Plaza contractor is going to provide recommendations for tree replacements in the plaza. Maple Ave will have lights and pedestrian crossing, but are waiting for materials. c) Public Outreach Initiative for Spotted Lanternfly Katharine made the new signage for the education campaign. Amy sent an email to Rec and Parks so that flyers can be posted on city bulletin boards. Amy and Katharine spoke to CBC and they are willing to support the education effort. We want to explore ways to get this out further. A Lanternfly was spotted in Clarendon, causing concern. d) Neighborhood Tree Program Give-away of trees at the Farmers Market. There are request form will go to Charles and fallschurchtrees@gmail.com 7) Additional Business a) City Council Work Plan Letty will present a read-out next month b) Update on Draft Recommendations for Landscaped Open Space/Green Space Standards No updates yet. Stephanie will share edits with UFC this week and will then share with ESC and Planning Commission for feedback and buy-in. c) Prepare for Urban Forestry Management Plan process discussion at October 19 Meeting. Please review the previous draft before our next meeting. 8) Future Business a) Green Infrastructure Standards b) Urban Forestry Management Plan c) Urban Forestry Code Changes d)Added: Education opportunities - specifically what our residential authorities are. 9) Adjourn - the meeting was called to order at 9:40 p.m. by Amy Crumpton. Urban Forestry Commission Staff liaison for this meeting: Charles Prince, cprince@fallschurchva.gov