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Home My WebLink About02-03-20 YTB MinutesYakima Tree Board Minutes of February 3, 2020 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 Board at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall in the 2nd Floor Conference Room,129 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, Washington. Approval of the Meeting Minutes from January 13, 2020 Lance made the motion to approve the previous meeting's minutes, and Jheri seconded the motion. The motion was passed by consensus. Update on Tree City USA Status for 2020 According to Associate Planner Eric Crowell, Ben Thompson with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed that Yakima's Tree City USA status has officially been renewed. Proposed Text Amendment to Modify YMC § 8.77.030 Jheri made the motion and Lance seconded the motion to send the recommended text amendment to City Council, which if approved will modify YMC § 8.77.030 to allow additional non-resident members on the Tree Board as long as they are tree specialists. Currently, only the City Arborist and the member recommended by the Yakima Area Arboretum may be non-residents. The motion was passed by consensus. Other Upcoming City Council Items Tentatively, the tree inventory is planned on being presented at City Council on March 3, 2020, and the Arbor Day proclamation is planned for City Council on April 7, 2020. Staff Report —Chip Rognlie Chip has removed a dozen trees. His presentation at Master Gardeners attracted 90 people. There is interest from Master Gardeners to help the city plant trees. For the Good of the Order New trees are snapping on N. 1st St. A couple of questions were posed: are there funds to replace them, and how can the Tree Board get involved in reviewing future public tree planting projects? Eric will ask the Engineering Division if they have specs on the N. 1st St. tree plantings. He will also look to see if Yakima County has a tree care ordinance. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:27 p.m. The next Yakima Tree Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in 2nd Floor Conference Room at City Hall.