Tree Board

TUMWATER TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING February 13, 2023 Page 1 CONVENE: 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Trent Grantham and Boardmembers Brent Chapman, Michael Jackson, Tanya Nozawa, and Dennis Olson. Excused: Boardmember Jim Sedore. Staff: Sustainability Coordinator Alyssa Jones Wood. CHANGES TO There were no changes to the agenda. AGENDA: TREE BOARD Coordinator Jones Wood reviewed a memo submitted by Boardmember MEMBER Sedore correcting the Arbor Day event to reflect April 22, 2023 and REPORTS: comments about the proposed 2023 Arbor Day celebration in the City. He supports hosting a similar Arbor Day celebration as in 2022 but noted that last year, Earth Day participants left the park early for ivy removal prior to the tree seedling giveaway. In 2022, the Tree Board offered vine maple, Pacific crabapple, Saskatoon serviceberry, and Red Osier dogwood seedlings. Last year’s seedlings represented a good collection as most of those receiving seedlings reside on small lots. He suggested adding native species of Milkweed plants to benefit Monarch butterflies that have been listed as endangered and offering the same number of seedlings for this year’s event. He plans to volunteer at the event from 9 a.m. to closure. He also suggested it would be unnecessary for an arborist to attend the 2023 event. A tree planting does not necessarily need be concurrent with the Arbor Day seedling giveaway but could be scheduled when the City completes a new park or special project. He also recommends the Board should receive some feedback from seedling recipients including when and where the seedling was planted, a photo of the seedling in full leaf, and photos of the seedling in one year and after five years. The information could be forwarded to the Tree Board for its annual analysis before each Arbor Day event, as well as used by the City to promote quality landscaping. Chair Grantham said the native milkweed, showy milkweed recommended by Boardmember Sedore is a perennial native to Eastern Washington. MANAGER’S Coordinator Jones Wood reported on the completion of the carbon REPORT: sequestration paper by the Thurston Regional Planning Council for release on February 27, 2023. She offered to forward a copy to the Board. Work continues on Tree and Vegetation Preservation and Landscaping code updates. Staff received draft Tree and Vegetation Preservation amendments and will forward comments to the consultant team. The Tree Board will receive a briefing on the draft in April. She is working on preparation of a memo on incentives for planting on public and private property for the TUMWATER TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING February 13, 2023 Page 2 Board’s review in support of Urban Forestry Management Plan actions. Boardmember Chapman asked about efforts to recruit for the vacant Board position. Coordinator Jones Wood said a state employee who works with Boardmember Chapman has applied for the position. She has a degree in ecological forestry and is a Tumwater resident. Boardmember Sedore has also been actively recruiting individuals as well. The Mayor plans to interview after submittal of applications. PUBLIC Walt Jorgensen asked about the procedure for applying for a position on COMMENT: the Tree Board. Coordinator Jones Wood advised that interested individuals can complete an application located on the City’s website and either send or electronically transmit the application with a letter of interest and resume to the address listed on the website. Mr. Jorgensen asked about the number of positions on the Board. Coordinator Jones Wood said the Board is comprised of seven members. The Board has one vacancy. Chair Grantham added that individuals can also apply to other boards and commissions by ranking their preference for serving on a particular board or commission. ARBOR DAY Coordinator Jones Wood asked the Board to offer some recommendations DISCUSSION: on the species and quantity of giveaway trees/plants to assist in locating seedlings at different nurseries. She suggested including some alternates if some species are not available. Boardmember Jackson commented that native Douglas fir and redcedar trees were conducive for planting in some yards last year. Last year, trees were potted increasing the price but improving the giveaway process. Chair Grantham recommended exploring the availability of Western redcedar or a cultivar of Western redcedars in a gallon pot in addition to the species offered last year. Boardmember Jackson recommended limiting the quantity of dwarf Western redcedars to 10 and dividing the other species equally. Coordinator Jones Wood offered to follow up on sourcing native Milkweed plants. Boardmember Chapman suggested considering a Monarch butterfly garden mix sourced through Territorial, a respected garden company in Oregon. Coordinator Jones Wood said the cost of the gallon-sized plants last year was $5.50 for each potted plant. TUMWATER TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING February 13, 2023 Page 3 In response to comments pertaining to remaining Tree Board funds each year, Coordinator Jones Wood explained that during the City’s recent budgeting process, the Tree Board allocation was not approved; however, she was allocated a lump sum of funds for sustainability measures, which includes Tree Board expenses. Heritage Trees nominations cost the City approximately $125-$250 for each tree. Boardmember Sedore plans to nominate eight Garry oak trees as Heritage Trees this year. Coordinator Jones Wood reported she plans to contact local nurseries to include the nursery that supplied plants last year to source the recommended trees, as well as Territorial’s Monarch seed mix. She asked about the availability of the Board to assist in preparing handout materials if she is able to purchase dwarf Western redcedars. The Board offered to assist in preparing materials. Chair Grantham asked about the inventory status of other giveaway items. Coordinator Jones Wood reviewed the current inventory of different giveaway items. Information for the Heritage Tree Program will be available as well as tree planting instructions from the Department of Natural Resources. Seventy-five giveaway bags have been prepared. Some additional materials are available from the National Wildlife Federation to add to each bag. Approximately 50 of two different tree posters are also available. Approximately 20 Tree City USA flags are available. Coordinator Jones Wood reviewed a draft of the Arbor Day proclamation and requested feedback on any proposed changes. The Board discussed and agreed to revise the proclamation to reflect the following changes to the last Whereas reflecting, “the City of Tumwater will celebrate Arbor Day with a free event on Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Tumwater Historical Park. At this event, residents can take home Arbor Day memorabilia, a free potted native plant to the first 100 people, and have the opportunity to ask professional foresters, landscape architects, horticulturists, and professional tree enthusiasts about the proper care and planting of trees.” Coordinator Jones Wood asked the Board to consider volunteering during the event. Commissioner Sedore has indicated he plans to attend 9 a.m. through clean up. Boardmembers Jackson, Olson, Grantham, and Nozawa volunteered to attend. Coordinator Jones Wood asked Boardmember Chapman to consider attending different Earth Day celebrations throughout the county. She received an email from the group sponsoring Earth Day events conveying their appreciation of a presentation he provided last year. She offered to follow-up with more information by email. TUMWATER TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING February 13, 2023 Page 4 Discussion ensued on the possibility of scheduling a tree planting during the Arbor Day event. The Board preferred not pursuing a tree planting during this year’s event. Boardmember Jackson commented on several trees that were destroyed by a vehicle off Second Avenue and the possibility of replacing those trees for future tree planting. Coordinator Jones Wood reported the City’s Tree Fund balance is approximately $90,000; however, she has been directed to spend down the balance over the next three years. Some efforts will be overseen by Water Resources and Sustainability Department staff to spend approximately $70,000 during the next two years on riparian restoration. She is reviewing incentives on other ways to expend the funds, such as tree plantings on private properties. Boardmember Jackson suggested the replacement of the trees along Second Avenue could be funded from the Tree Fund. Boardmember Chapman supported reserving some funds to pursue Boardmember Sedore’s suggestion of planting trees in different areas of the City during special occasions. Coordinator Jones Wood said she would coordinate the request with the Parks and Recreation Department. Boardmember Chapman offered that the Board should rely on the City to help guide the Board on the locations of trees or collaborate with the board during special events. Boardmember Olson recommended developing a list of places and people the Board can contact for tree plantings. Boardmember Chapman asked about the possibility of the Board receiving a list of stormwater retention ponds that could accommodate trees. He has recently visited the sites of numerous stormwater retention ponds throughout the City and it appears many are engineered to accommodate trees. The City could also ensure developers are required to plant trees in appropriate stormwater facilities. Boardmember Jackson referred to two retention ponds located on the property housing the U.S. Post Office and recent actions removing overgrown scotch broom in one pond and trees in the second pond that served as prime habitat for birds. His understands the facility is federally regulated. Many areas within the City would benefit from tree plantings along the edge of stormwater facilities. Boardmember Chapman shared that the state added trees along the Labor and Industries Building stormwater retention pond located off Israel Road. Boardmember Olson recommended that the Board should assume the task of determining locations that would be conducive to tree plantings. TUMWATER TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES OF VIRTUAL MEETING February 13, 2023 Page 5 Coordinator Jones Wood offered to follow-up with stormwater staff and plans to develop a list of candidate locations for a future review by the Board. Boardmember Chapman recommended the City’s update of the tree ordinance should address stormwater ponds and those that are eligible should be heavily planted. Boardmember Nozawa noted the presence of numerous red-winged blackbirds at the post office before the removal of vegetation from the retention ponds. Boardmember Jackson said the post office removed some hardwood species in the pond of up to four to five inches in diameter. Boardmember Chapman asked about efforts the City plans to pursue to market Arbor Day. Coordinator Jones Wood advised that marketing would follow previous methods in coordination with the City’s Communications Department. She invited suggestions on other marketing alternatives. Boardmember Chapman referred to the City of Lacey’s large banner advertising Arbor Day on College Street each year. The City has posts for banners on Tumwater Boulevard and it would be a good location to install a banner advertising the Arbor Day event. Coordinator Jones Wood said she would follow up with Communications staff about the possibility of purchasing a new banner as the older and smaller banner contains the City’s old logo. The Board discussed different locations near Tumwater Historical Park for displaying a banner advertising Arbor Day. NEXT MEETING Future meetings include a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on DATE: February 14, 2023 and a regular meeting on March 13, 2023. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Chair Grantham adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Prepared by Valerie L. Gow, Recording Secretary/President Puget Sound Meeting Services, psmsoly@earthlink.net