10-25-17 ESC Agenda (2)Environmental Stewardship Committee
Agenda
6 p.m. Wednesday, October 25,2017
1. Call to order
2. Approval of minutes
3. Tree Subcommittee report-C. Drysdale
4. Report on ESC request to staff for new permit application signage & website
access to permits per ordinance-K. Hogencamp
5. Tree City USA -review of requirements & time line -K. Hogencamp
6. Discussion of potential workshop for review of tree ordinance
7. Priority setting exercise -facilitated by L. Lanier
8. New business
9. Adjournment
Tree City USA Standards
To qualify as a Tree City USA community, you must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day
Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. These standards were established to ensure that
every qualifying commu n ity * would have a viable tree management program and that no community would
be excluded because of size.
Four Standards for Tree C ity USA Recognition
Standard 1 Standard 2Standard 3 Standard 4
Standard 1
A Tree Board or Department
Someone must be legally responsible for the care of all
trees on city-or town-owned property. By delegating
tree care decisions to a professional forester, arborist,
city department, citizen-led tree board or some
combination, city leaders determine who will perform
necessary tree work. The public will also know who is
accountable for decisions that impact community trees.
Often, both professional staff and an advisory tree board
are established, which is a good goal for most
communities.
The formation of a tree board often stems from a group
of citizens. In some cases a mayor or city officials have
started the process. Either way, the benefits are
immense. Involving residents and business owners
creates wide awareness of what trees do for the
community and provides broad support for better tree
care.
S t andard 2
A Tree Care Ordinance
A basic public tree care ordinance forms the foundation
of a city's tree care program. It provides an opportunity
to set good policy and back it with the force of law
when necessary.
A key section of a qualifying ordinance is one that
establishes the tree board or forestry department-or
both-and gives one of them the responsibility for
public tree care (as reflected in Standard 1 ). It should
also assign the task of crafting and implementing a plan
of work or for documenting annual tree care activities.
Ideally, the ordinance will also provide clear guidance
for planting, maintaining and removing trees from
streets, parks and other public spaces as well as
activities that are required or prohibited. Beyond that,
the ordinance should be flexible enough to fit the needs
and circumstances of the particular community.
For tips and a checklist of important items to consider in
writing or improving a tree ordinance, see Tree City
USA Bulletin #9 .
Standard 3
A Community Forestry Program With an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per
Capita
City trees provide many benefits-clean air, clean
water, shade and beauty to name a few-but they also
require an investment to remain healthy and sustainable.
By providing support at or above the $2 per capita
minimum, a community demonstrates its commitment to
grow and tend these valuable public assets. Budgets and
expenditures require planning and accountability, which
are fundamental to the long-term health of the tree
canopy and the Tree City USA program.
To meet this standard each year, the community must
document at least $2 per capita toward the planting, care
and removal of city trees-and the planning efforts to
make those things happen. At first this may seem like an
impossible barrier to some communities. However, a
little investigation usually reveals that more than this
amount is already being spent on tree care. If not, this
may signal serious neglect that will cost far more in the
long run. In such a case, working toward Tree City USA
recognition can be used to reexamine the community's
budget priorities and redirect funds to properly care for
its tree resources before it is too late.
Standard 4
An effective program for community trees would not be
complete without an annual Arbor Day ceremony.
Citizens join together to celebrate the benefits of
community trees and the work accomplished to plant
and maintain them. By passing and reciting an official
Arbor Day proclamation, public officials demonstrate
their support for the community tree program and
complete the requirements for becoming a Tree City
USA!
This is the least challenging-and probably most
enjoyable-standard to meet. An Arbor Day celebration
can be simple and brief or an ali -day or all -week
observation. It can include a tree planting event, tree
care activities or an award ceremony that honors leading
tree planters. For children, Arbor Day may be their only
exposure to the green world or a springboard to
discussions about the complex issue of environmental
quality.
The benefits of Arbor Day go far beyond the shade and
beauty of new trees for the next generation. Arbor Day
is a golden opportunity for publicity and to educate
homeowners about proper tree care. Utility companies
can join in to promote planting small trees beneath
power lines or being careful when digging. Fire
prevention messaging can also be worked into the event,
as can conservation education about soil erosion or the
need to protect wildlife habitat.
up back to top
Tree City USA is an Arbor Day Foundation program in
cooperation with:
October 20, 2017
Dear ESC Committee Members,
I'm looking forward to our next meeting and as we discussed, we need to establish a work plan
in order to operate with maximum efficiency. Linda Lanier will return to help us prioritize our
work and as expected, she's asked us to do a little preparation. Here are her instructions.
Please review the original "Goals" document that was approved by the Planning Committee and
incorporated into our establishing ordinance. The document is attached. The Goals are divided
into 4 areas: Maritime Forest, Parks and Open Spaces, Beautification of Public and Private
Spaces and Environmental Services. Pick five to seven items that you think are either urgent
(time sensitive) or important (high long term value).
Your work selecting your priorities in advance will save us a lot of time during our meeting.
Thanks for your participation and I'll see you next Wednesday, October 25 at 6:00pm.
Judith Leroux, ESC Chair