Tree Board

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER TREE BOARD MAY 11, 2026 CONVENE: 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Trent Grantham, and Boardmembers Mike Jackson, Tanya Nozawa, and Brody Coval Excused: Boardmember Charles Edmonson Staff: Sustainability Manager Alyssa Jones Wood, Urban Forester Brian Caughlan INTRODUCTION OF Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff introduced herself and her priorities as MAYOR LEATTA Mayor. The Tree Board members introduced themselves. DAHLHOFF: CHANGES TO THE No changes to the agenda. AGENDA: APPROVAL OF Boardmember Coval moved, seconded by Boardmember MINUTES: Nozawa, to approve the minutes of March 9, 2026, as published. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. TREE BOARD Boardmember Coval expressed concern about new MEMBER REPORTS: developments being approved in haste considering that the city is in the midst of updating its tree codes. Boardmember Nozawa noted that Mayor Dahlhoff walked the Countryside neighborhood on Sunday to observe and speak with residents about street tree issues. MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Jones Wood shared the city had planned to have a contractor carry out the grading and vertical mulching work for the Davis Meeker Garry Oak in early May, but that the unseasonably hot and dry weather has pushed that work back TUMWATER TREE BOARD– MAY 11, 2026 1  tentatively to November 2026. Forester Caughlan shared that he is nearing the launch of the Tree Canopy Equity Program that will target neighborhoods with low tree canopy, higher ambient temperatures, and socioeconomic hardships to provide trees, training, watering bags, and mulch. Manager Jones Wood and Forester Caughlan shared that they’ve been working with an intern from the Evergreen State College who is updating the city street tree inventory. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was given. DEBRIEF ON ARBOR Forester Caughlan shared that Arbor Day was a huge success. All DAY 2026: the trees were distributed in 22 minutes. The Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry Program also attended and provided information. Chair Grantham, who volunteered during the event, agreed the event was a success, suggesting that we increase the number of plants to distribute next year as well as outreach materials to give away. Boardmember Coval suggested next year that the city also purchase some trees from the Webster Nursery. Urban Forester Caughlan thanked all the Tree Board members and fellow staff who helped the event be successful. DISCUSSION OF Manager Jones Wood shared the proposed schedule for the rest TENTATIVE 2026 TREE of the year, which included three joint meetings with the Planning BOARD SCHEDULE: Commission which fall outside of the Tree Board’s normal meeting dates. MOTION: Chair Grantham moved, seconded by Boardmember Nozawa, to cancel the July 13, 2026 and September 14, 2026 regular Tree Board meetings. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 26, 2026 and is a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Chair Grantham adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Prepared by Alyssa Jones Wood, Sustainability Manager TUMWATER TREE BOARD– MAY 11, 2026 2