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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-30-23 YTB AgendaCode Administration (509) 575-6126 · Planning (509) 575-6183 · Office of Neighborhood & Development Services (509) 575-6101 Yakima Tree Board BIMONTHLY MEETING City Council Chambers Monday, January 30, 2023 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. YTB Members: Lance Forsee, Jheri Ketcham, Daniel Layton, Ken Tolonen (1 vacant seat—city arborist) City Planning Staff: Eric Crowell (Senior Planner) City Council Liaison: Holly Cousens (District 7) Agenda I. Approval of the Meeting Minutes from September 12, 2022 II. Public Comment III. Proposed Amendment to Bylaws: Section I (Meetings), Section IV (Public Participation) IV. Status of City Arborist V. Upcoming 2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grants VI. Review of 2022 Canopy Study VII. For the Good of the Order VIII. Adjourn Next Meeting: Monday, March 13, 2023 in City Council Chambers It shall be the responsibility of the tree board to study, investigate, develop, update, and administer a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other city-owned public areas. The tree board shall consider, investigate, make findings, report and make recommendations regarding any special matter or question coming within the scope of its work. Yakima Tree Board Bylaws * DRAFT 01/30/23 * SECTION I: MEETINGS General 1.1. All meetings shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 42.30 RCW). 1.2. Board Staff assistance shall be provided by the Planning Division with additional assistance and information to be provided by other City departments and consultants as may be necessary to aid the Board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. 1.3. Meetings shall take place on the second third Monday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, and November) at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall in City Council Chambers. 1.4. If the second third Monday of a month during which a meeting will be held falls on a city holiday, the meeting shall be held during that month on the following available Monday that isn’t a city holiday. 1.5. The location and time of meetings may vary as long as adequate public notice is given. 1.6. An extended special meeting should take place once a year as needed, and may occur outside the schedule for bimonthly meetings. 1.7. Other special meetings may take place as requested, and shall follow the same procedures. 1.8. Public hearings for the appeal of dead or diseased tree removal on private property may take place either during a regular meeting or a special meeting. Quorum 1.9. A majority of board members constitutes a quorum in which a meeting may take place. 1.10. Notification of the meeting shall be made in accordance with Section II. A request will be made to all Board members to confirm attendance. If a quorum cannot be confirmed, the meeting will be canceled. 1.11. If a quorum cannot be met at the beginning of a scheduled meeting, the Board may wait until ten minutes past the scheduled start, after which if a quorum still cannot be met, the meeting will be canceled. 1.12. If a quorum cannot be met or the meeting cannot otherwise take placeis canceled, the next meeting should shall be held the following month in accordance with this section Section I unless there are pressing matters, in which a meeting may be rescheduled for that the same month in which it was canceled. Except in extreme circumstances, regular meetings and special meetings should not be rescheduled more than once during a calendar month. Following the completion of a rescheduled meeting, the next meeting should be scheduled as usual in accordance with this section. SECTION II: PUBLIC NOTICE 2.1. The agenda packet (agenda, draft minutes, other documentation, etc.) shall be distributed and posted publicly by 5:00 p.m. at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting. 2.2. If changes are needed, the revised agenda packet shall be distributed and posted publicly by 5:00 p.m. at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. 2.3. Draft minutes shall be uploaded to the City’s website no later than one week after the meeting in which their approval takes place. 2.4. Public hearings for the appeal of dead or diseased tree removal on private property shall follow the procedures of YMC § 8.77.165. SECTION III: DECISION MAKING 3.1. Official decisions made by the Board shall be passed by consensus. If there is disagreement on an agenda item or point of discussion, a majority vote shall take place. 3.2. Official decisions include but are not limited to the opening and closing of meetings, approval of draft meeting minutes, changes to the approved street tree list, text amendments to the Public Tree Ordinance recommended to City Council for their approval, and changes to the bylaws. 3.3. The Board’s determination of an appeal of dead or diseased tree removal on private property shall be made with a majority vote and shall follow the procedures of YMC § 8.77.165. SECTION IV: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 4.1. Opportunity for public comment shall be allowed for each agenda item, and may also take place for items not on the agenda under For the Good of the Order, as long as they are relevant to the purpose of the Board. SECTION V: ANNUAL TASKS 5.1. The Arbor Day Proclamation shall be finalized by the March meeting. 5.2. The Tree City USA Certification/Work Plan shall be finalized by the November meeting. 5.3. Once completed, the comprehensive city tree plan shall be presented to City Council and thereafter on an annual basis. SECTION VI: AMENDMENT 6.1. These bylaws may be amended as provided for in YMC § 8.77.070.