HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-19 YTB MinutesYakima Tree Board
Minutes of September 9, 2019
Board Members Present: Justin Bigby, Lance Forsee, Jheri Ketcham, Chip
Rognlie
Absent and Excused:
City Staff: Eric Crowell (Associate Planner)
Introduction and Welcome
Jheri Ketcham convened the monthly meeting of the Yakima Tree City USA (YTCUSA) Board at 5:04
p.m. at City Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room,129 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, Washington.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from May 13, 2019
Jheri made the motion to approve the previous meeting's minutes, and Lance seconded the motion.
Vacancy on Tree Board
The Board requested that the Public Tree Ordinance (YMC 8.77) be revised to allow for one non-
resident tree specialist due to difficulty filling a vacancy based on current residency requirements.
Street Tree Inventory Update
Eric noted that the inventory will be ready for final consideration at the October 7, 2019 meeting.
Request from Planning Commission to Revise Tree List
The Planning Commission had questions for the Board regarding its "draft" tree list and which trees
are appropriate for the area's climate and for planting on private property. The tree list is final and
conforms to the Public Tree Ordinance. The Yakima Tree Board will request additional information if
the Planning Commission wants additional insight.
Staff Report —Chip Rognlie
Four cherry trees have been replaced at Millennium Plaza with six new trees.
For the Good of the Order
There is no news regarding stormwater grants for street tree plantings.
An audience member asked why trees have been taken down on Naches Ave. It was explained that
30 new trees would be planted later this fall. It was also explained that fruit trees are not encouraged
as street trees due to the problems they cause.
Adjournment
Jheri made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m., and Lance seconded the motion. The next
Yakima Tree Board meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in 2nd Floor
Conference Room at City Hall.