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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. 02-27-2023 TC Draft Minutes 1 Tree Committee Minutes February 27, 2023, 5:30 p.m. SLO City/County Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Tree Committee Members Present: Member Alan Bate, Member Henry Bonifas, Member Emily Rosten, Vice Chair Elizabeth Lucas, Chair Daniel Canella (two vacant seats) City Staff Present: Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple, Deputy Director of Maintenance Greg Cruce, Deputy City Clerk Megan Wilbanks _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on February 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the SLO City/County Library Community Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Canella. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: None --End of Public Comment-- 3. CONSENT 3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 5, 2022 TREE COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Motion By Member Rosten Second By Vice Chair Lucas To approve the Tree Committee Special Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2022. Ayes (5): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Lucas, and Chair Canella (two vacant seats) CARRIED (5 to 0) Page 5 of 46 2 4. TREE REMOVAL APPEAL 4.a 92 LOS VERDES DRIVE TREE REMOVAL APPEAL Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple notified the Committee that the Appellant, Los Verdes Park No. 1 Homeowners Association, requested to continue review of the appeal to a date uncertain. Chair Canella opened Public Comment Public Comments: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Canella closed Public Comment Motion By Member Rosten Second By Member Bate Continue review of the 92 Los Verdes Drive Tree Removal Appeal to a date uncertain. Ayes (5): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Lucas, and Chair Canella (two vacant seats) CARRIED (5 to 0) 5. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 5.a 150 CHORRO STREET TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. Applicant representative, Paul Weber, provided a brief overview of the project and responded to questions raised. Chair Canella opened Public Comment Public Comments: Jon Hanlon --End of Public Comment-- Chair Canella closed Public Comment Page 6 of 46 3 Motion By Member Bate Second By Member Bonifas The Tree Committee reviewed a Tree Removal Application to remove one (1) Canary Island Pine tree (Pinus canariensis) located at 150 Chorro Street and recommends the Community Development Director deny the application based on insufficient evidence to support removal. Ayes (5): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Lucas, and Chair Canella (two vacant seats) CARRIED (5 to 0) 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.a CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COMMUNITY FOREST PLAN REVIEW Sustainability & Natural Resources Official Bob Hill and Natural Resources Intern Christopher Hamma presented the staff report and responded to Commission inquiries. Brian Metcalf with the San Luis Obispo Rotary de Tolosa Club provided information about the Rotary's efforts to plant trees in the city. Rodney Thurman, Arborist, provided recommendations for developing one voice to help educate the community on how to plant trees, choose the right species for the location, and proper maintenance. Danny Torres spoke about carbon sequestration of mature trees and the calculations that affect which trees are appropriate to replace mature trees with. Chair Canella opened Public Comment Public Comments: None --End of Public Comment-- Chair Canella closed Public Comment Motion By Vice Chair Lucas Second By Member Rosten The Tree Committee received a presentation on the Community Forest Plan and recommends the City Council approve the City of San Luis Obispo Community Forest Plan with the following recommendations: Page 7 of 46 4  Acknowledge that some outreach efforts should not fall solely on Public Works staff. Specifically, creating marketing brochures and digital content, updating information displayed on QR codes, and other promotional material. Consider a partnership with the Promotional Coordinating Committee.  When considering new planting locations, give priority to underrepresented communities so they receive an equitable amount of planting, as aligned with the Council’s Major City Goal to promote equity and inclusivity.  Consider adding ID tags with QR codes on newly planted trees to help educate the community on the City’s planting efforts and tree care.  Consider designing a small handout that staff and volunteers could carry with them while working in the field to help answer questions from the community.  Provide applicants of large development projects more direction and specific requirements regarding tree replacement ratio, size, and species at the beginning of the permitting process.  Utilize community partnerships with tree professionals and Cal Poly instructors to offer walking tours specific to the City’s urban forest. Cal Poly students have demonstrated their enthusiasm for helping to increase the City’s tree inventory and are currently an underutilized resource.  Consider increasing outreach efforts around National Arbor Day, similar to how much publicity Bike to School/Work Month receives. The Tree Committee noted that City has done an amazing job developing its brand as a "Bike Friendly City" and the Tree Committee would like the same recognition for our commitment to the urban forest. Ayes (5): Member Bate, Member Bonifas, Member Rosten, Vice Chair Lucas, and Chair Canella (two vacant seats) CARRIED (5 to 0) Page 8 of 46 5 7. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 7.a ARBORIST REPORT Acting City Arborist Anthony Whipple and Deputy Director of Public Works Greg Cruce provided the following update of upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division:  Staff have been heavily involved in the January 9th storm recovery efforts.  The Tree Division is gaining another member, Mike Johnson. Mike retired from the City and has returned as a Contractor to continue his work on the City's urban forest.  The Architectural Review Commission hasn't met since November 2022, so they have not amended their Bylaws to remove the requirement that an ARC Member serve on the Tree Committee. Once that requirement is removed, staff in the Clerk’s Office will begin the recruitment process to fill the vacancy.  The Annual Advisory Body Recruitment is coming to an end and the Tree Committee has one applicant to fill one of the two open seats. Recruitment will be ongoing for the second vacant seat and updates will be provided as staff know more.  Commemorative Grove planting at Laguna Lake has been paused to reassess whether it's appropriate to plant more trees in that location due to the proximity of high voltage powerlines. 8. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m. The next Regular Me eting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for March 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: XX/XX/2023 Page 9 of 46 Page 10 of 46