HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-27-23 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, March 27, 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 January 30, 2023
II. Public Comment
III. Discussion of 2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grant Request to Develop
an Urban Forestry Management Plan
IV. Letter of Support for 2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grant Request
V. For the Good of the Order
VI. Adjourn
Next Meeting: Monday, May 15, 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
DRAFT
Minutes of January 30, 2023
Board Members Present: Lance Forsee, Jheri Ketcham, Chip Rognlie, Ken
Tolonen
Absent and Excused: Daniel Layton
City Staff: Eric Crowell (Senior Planner)
______________________________________________________________________________
Introduction and Welcome
The bimonthly meeting of the Yakima Tree Board convened at 5:04 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from September 12, 2022
Chip made the motion to approve the previous meeting’s minutes, and Lance seconded the motion.
The motion was passed by consensus.
Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Proposed Amendments to Bylaws: Section I (Meetings), Section IV (Public Participation)
Due to a new meeting conflict, Eric proposed that the Board’s semimonthly meetings take place on
the third Monday of every other month, rather than that second Monday. He also proposed
clarifications to rescheduling meetings, and adding a public participation section to the agenda. The
motion was passed by consensus.
Status of City Arborist
Eric noted that Public Works has not yet hired Chip Rognlie’s replacement. The department continues
to be interested in having a certified arborist on staff.
Upcoming 2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grants
DNR has not yet announced the new grant cycle. Eric will provide an update once available.
Review of 2022 Canopy Study
Eric briefly presented to summary of the urban tree canopy study that was produced by PlanIT Geo.
For the Good of the Order
Jheri proposed looking at Spokane’s street tree list to see if Yakima’s street tree list could be adapted
to look something like it. Jheri was particularly interested in referencing tree form, along with pests
and problems.
Adjournment
Ken made the motion, and Jheri seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:40 p.m. The next
Yakima Tree Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023 in City Council Chambers.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joan Davenport, AICP, Director
Planning Division
Joseph Calhoun, Manager
129 North Second Street, 2nd Floor, Yakima, WA 98901
DVNSODQQLQJ#\DNLPDZDJRYÂ www.yakimawa.gov/services/planning
March 24, 2023
Re: 2023 Community Forestry Assistance Grant proposal
Dear Yakima Tree Board:
The City of Yakima will be submitting a grant request to the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), which is due on March 31, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
Due to one or more census tracts lying within the city limits scoring an 8 or higher on the
Washington Environmental Disparities Map, Yakima qualifies for a 1:2 match.
If awarded, a professional consultant will be hired through a bidding process to develop an
urban forestry management plan, which may include but is not limited to the following elements:
x Public participation
x Review of existing tree inventory and tree canopy assessment
x Review of ordinances—YMC Ch. 8.77 (Public Tree Ordinance) and YMC Ch. 8.80
(Trees and Shrubs)
x Strategic plan (goals, objectives, etc.)
x Implementation plan
The Board is welcome to provide any comments or suggestions. DNR will notify applicants on
April 24, 2023. If awarded, the period of performance will start on July 3, 2023, and end on May
31, 2024. Attached is a draft letter of support for your consideration.
Eric Crowell
Senior Planner
Liaison to the Yakima Tree Board
Yakima Tree Board
ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE NO. 2016-032
Lance Forsee
Jheri Ketcham
Daniel Layton
Ken Tolonen
March 27, 2023
Dear Washington State Department of Natural Resources:
The Yakima Tree Board offers its strong support for the 2023 Community Forestry Assistance
Grant application submitted by the City of Yakima to hire a consultant to aid in developing the
city’s first urban forestry management plan.
Yakima has maintained Tree City USA status since 2016, and its public tree ordinance calls for
“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.”
Once finalized, the urban forestry management plan will include review of an existing public tree
inventory and tree canopy assessment, review of relevant ordinances, and goals and objectives
to promote the long-term health of Yakima’s urban forest.
The Yakima Tree Board supports the City of Yakima’s request for a Community Forestry
Assistance Grant and strongly encourages your favorable consideration.
Sincerely,
________________________ _________________________
Lance Forsee, Board Member Jheri Ketcham, Board Member
________________________ _________________________
Daniel Layton, Board Member Ken Tolonen, Board Member
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