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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-2026 TC Minutes 1 Tree Committee Minutes July 27, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo Tree Committee Members Present: Member Henry Bonifas, Member Daniel Canella, Member Charles Gerencser, Member Dan Shinn, Member Gage Willey Vice Chair Emily Rosten, Chair Ben Parker City Staff Present: Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault, Deputy City Clerk Sara Armas _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Tree Committee was called to order on July 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Parker. 2. OATH OF OFFICE Deputy City Clerk Sara Armas administered the Oath of Office to Gage Willey. 3. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR As required by the Tree Committee Bylaws, the committee held an election for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. Motion By Member Bonifas Second By Member Shinn Elect Member Dan Canella as Tree Committee Chair. Ayes (7): Member Bonifas, Member Canella, Member Gerencser, Member Shinn, Member Willey, Vice Chair Rosten, and Chair Parker CARRIED (7 to 0) Motion By Member Gerencser Second By Member Willey Elect Member Emily Rosten as Tree Committee Vice Chair. Ayes (7): Member Bonifas, Member Gerencser, Member Parker, Member Shinn, Member Willey, Vice Chair Rosten, and Chair Canella 2 CARRIED (7 to 0) 4. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly --End of Public Comment-- 5. CONSENT 5.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MAY 18, 2026 TREE COMMITTEE MINUTES Motion By Member Parker Second By Member Shinn To approve the Tree Committee Minutes of May 18, 2026. Ayes (7): Member Bonifas, Member Gerencser, Member Parker, Member Shinn, Member Willey, Vice Chair Rosten, and Chair Canella CARRIED (7 to 0) 6. PRESENTATIONS 6.a PUBLIC WORKS URBAN FORESTRY UPDATE Urban Forester Ty Evans provided a presentation on the Public Works Urban Forestry update. 7. TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION 7.a REVIEW A TREE REMOVAL APPLICATION TO REMOVE ONE (1) MONTEREY PINE LOCATED AT 2333 MEADOW ST (TREE-0408-2026) Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault presented the staff report and responded to Committee inquiries. Chair Canella opened Public Comment Public Comment: Fitzgerald Kelly --End of Public Comment-- Chair Canella closed Public Comment Motion By Member Willey Second By Member Gerencser 3 Recommend the Community Development Director approve the request to remove one (1) Monterey pine tree as it is consistent with requirements in the Municipal Code Section 12.24.090(E) based on the following criteria: • G(3) Species: The tree is non-native • G(6): Compensatory Plantings: The replanting plan exceeds the minimum requirement from 1:1 to 2:1, and, with consideration of the City Arborist's recommendations for the species of trees, will increase tree-age diversity • G(7): Heritage Status: The tree is not a heritage tree Additionally, the Committee recommends the applicant use "gator bags" when establishing the new trees as part of the replanting plan. Ayes (5): Member Gerencser, Member Parker, Member Shinn, Member Willey, and Vice Chair Rosten Noes (2): Member Bonifas and Chair Canella CARRIED (5 to 2) 8. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION 8.a ARBORIST REPORT Urban Forest Program Coordinator / City Arborist Walter Gault provided an update of upcoming projects and activities in the Tree Division. • The Greening Gold Seminar is taking place at Cal Poly SLO from August 11 to August 12, 2026. Committee members can request to attend by reaching out to the City Arborist. • The next Regular Tree Committee meeting has two tentative tree removal request items related to the Vista Lago Park project and Emerson Park project. • The Tree Committee will review an appeal of a tree removal request for a Redwood tree located at 355 North Chorro Street at a future meeting. • The Community Development Director has not made a formal decision on the red-flowering gum tree on Buchon Street. 4 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Tree Committee is scheduled for August 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. _________________________ APPROVED BY TREE COMMITTEE: 08/24/2026