HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-19 YTB MinutesYakima Tree Board
Minutes of October 14, 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 5:07
p.m. at City Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room,129 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, Washington.
Approval of the Meeting Minutes from September 9, 2019
Jheri made the motion to approve the previous meeting's minutes, and Chip seconded the motion.
Preparing for 2020 Tree City USA Certification
Associate Planner Eric Crowell noted that Tree City USA renewal is due in December as usual. Chip
has already gathered budgetary data to submit as part of the application.
Proposed Text Amendment to Modify YMC § 8.77.030
Lance made the motion to propose a text amendment to the Public Tree Ordinance to allow for at least
one tree specialist on the Board to not be required to live within the city limits of Yakima, and Jheri
seconded the motion. Eric will propose language to the Legal Department, which once deemed
acceptable will be scheduled for a public hearing before City Council.
2020 Urban Forestry Grants —Two Opportunities
Eric noted that the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will offer two grant
opportunities this fall, one focusing on urban forestry management and the other focusing on
environmental justice. He will update the Board once more information on the grants becomes
available.
Staff Report —Chip Rognlie
Chip reported that 60 trees are to be planted in North 1st Street. Eric will contact the Engineering
Division regarding planting standards and which trees are being planted. Chip also mentioned the
trees being planted at the new Aquatic Center.
For the Good of the Order
Lance recently visited Yosemite and Paradise, the latter of which was largely destroyed by wildfires
in 2018. Jheri will be excused from the November 4, 2019 Board meeting.
Adjournment
Jheri made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:33 p.m. The next Yakima Tree Board meeting will
be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. in 2nd Floor Conference Room at City Hall.