HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-2004
Parks and Recreation Department
th
910 9 Street SE, Auburn, WA 98002-6200
Phone: (253) 931-3043 Fax (253) 931-4005
Peter B. Lewis, Daryl Faber
Mayor Director of Parks and Recreation
Tree Board Meeting
Minutes
August 17, 2004
2:00 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Administration Building
I. Call to Order
The first meeting of the City Auburn Tree Board took place on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 at the
Parks and Recreation Administration Building. Introductions were exchanged. Those present
were Board members Mike Harbin, Garna Jones, and Trish Borden. Staff members present were
Parks Planning and Development Manager Dan Scamporlina, Park Maintenance Horticulturalist
Kirk Hadley, and Department Secretary Ann Fuqua.
II. Minutes - None
III. Correspondence/Public Input
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
Mr. Scamporlina discussed his background as a licensed Landscape Architect, and pointed out
some of the procedures that were good, and a number that were not-so-good. He thought that as
a Board, we could influence, or educate, about the “right tree in the right place”. Mr. Hadley
stated the need for an education process to get people involved. It is our hope that we can get a
grant for a tree inventory of our street trees (those on the public rights-of-way) and get them
platted on a GIS map.
The current problem with the Big Leaf Maples in the Pioneer Cemetery was pointed out; they are
in extremely poor condition and need to be replaced. It is always traumatic for a community to
lose big trees, but we will replace them with a shorter variety.
Mr. Hadley explained that he is involved in the hazardous tree evaluation and we have lost over
20 trees in the past year. Mr. Scamporlina pointed out the need to have a more diverse selection
of trees to keep them healthier.
Other items discussed by the members and areas of interest were:
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Need to plan at least a year in advance to enable us to plant at an optimum time. By doing
this we can eliminate the need for special maintenance (hand watering)
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The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has grant money available to
inventory street trees and/or to purchase software.
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The need to be an educational entity – what should be planted where, etc.
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Whether or not the ADA Design Group was still in existence
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The need to develop a vision of where we want to go and what we want to do
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Methods by which information can be disseminated – utility bill inserts, web site, local
television station, etc.
The group discussed the manner in which they wanted to set up their organization. It was
decided that they would meet monthly, on the same schedule as the Park Board, at 2:00 p.m. at
the Parks and Recreation Administration Building. Meetings for the rest of 2004 will be
September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7.
Other ideas discussed were educational materials identifying the significant contribution of trees in
the landscape as an emphasis, as well as events in which school children can participate, the use of
park property as specimen exhibits, getting service clubs involved, and sponsoring classes for the
public.
Members were interested in seeing a copy of any ordinances, which address this topic. We will
get that information for the members.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.