HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-004 Creation and Establishment of a City Tree Board; Amending YMC 8.77.030ORDINANCE NO. 2020-004
AN ORDINANCE amending Yakima Municipal Code Section 8.77.030 Creation and
establishment of a city tree board.
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima established a tree board ("Yakima Tree Board")
in 2016, the requirement of which are now found under Chapter 8.77 of the Yakima
Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the Yakima Tree Board has specific duties associated with public
trees in Yakima, educating the public on public trees, and supporting public tree
objectives; and
WHEREAS, the Yakima Tree Board currently is required to seat five (5)
members, who shall all be residents of the city with the exception of the member
recommended by the Yakima Arboretum, and the City Arborist;
WHEREAS, there has been one open seat on the Board since the middle of
2019, and it has been difficult to find people to fill the Board seat that is open, leaving a
situation for the Board where in some months there are not enough members present to
have a quorum and conduct business; and
WHEREAS, the work done by the Board could be done just as effectively with
additional non-resident tree specialists if necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Yakima finds that it is in the best
interest of the City and its residents to amend YMC 8.77.030 to change the residency
requirements to allow additional non-residents to serve on the Board if they are tree
specialists; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Chapter 8.77.030 of the Yakima Municipal Code is hereby amended
to read as follows:
8.77.030 Creation and establishment of a city tree board.
There is hereby created and established a tree board for the city of Yakima,
Washington, which shall consist of five members. One of the members of the tree board
shall be the city arborist. One of the members of the tree board shall be recommended
by the Yakima arboretum. At least two of the members shall be tree care specialists. The
tree board shall consist of city residents, except in the case of the city arborist, the tree
care specialists and the member recommended by the Yakima arboretum. The city
should, however, fill the seats on the tree board with city residents when possible.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its
passage, approval, and publication by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 18th day of
February, 2020.
ATTEST: / Patricia Biers, Mayor
5A) A On(fka A
Sonya dIa Tee, City Clerk
Publication Date: February 21, 2020
Effective Date: March 22, 2020
1
ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEM ENT
Item No. 6.K.
For Meeting of: February 18, 2020
Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Chapter
8.77.030, Creation and establishment of a City Tree Board
Eric Crowell, Associate Planner
Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The City of Yakima was recognized as a Tree City USA community in 2017. The City's urban
forest has been inventoried as part of the city's G I S system. Currently, there are 6,793 trees
maintained on city owned property.
The Yakima Tree Board has requested that City Council consider an amendment of the existing
ordinance to change certain residency requirements of members of the Yakima Tree Board to allow
non-resident tree specialists to serve on the board. Currently, only the city arborist and the member
recommended by the Yakima Arboretum do not have to be residents of Yakima. Due to this, it has been
difficult to fill all five seats, creating problems with having a quorum to hold meetings and conduct
business. It is believed that the board can be just as effective with additional non-resident members as
long as they're tree specialists.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
Pass ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS:
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