Member Blair inquired about:

 

·         Availability to the public of a draft scope of work and whether the document would change in the future.  Mr. Power reported that master planning efforts may change as the project moves forward.

 

·         Stakeholder involvement in planning meetings.  Mr. Power reported that he had met with the consultant team, Member Milne, and additional Council members several weeks ago to discuss how agencies could be brought together on this effort and policies and regulations concerning urban forestry work.   Mr. Power explained that he would be meeting with the consultant team and stakeholders on a monthly basis.

 

·         Whether the memo that Mr. Power would be providing to the Council would explain the scope of work that is planned.  Mr. Power stated that the memo would cover this topic. 

 

·         Requested that the Council be provided a list of the consultant team, sub-consultants, and their affiliation. Mr. Power reported that the Planning Department has a limited budget as to how staff time is used, but would be happy to prepare a memo describing the team’s qualifications.

 

·         Asked whether the Plan would be posted online for public review and comment.  Mr. Power explained that the Planning Department is in the process of developing a website that would be hosted by the City’s web server and would link to the Planning Department’s site.  Member Blair requested a memo explaining the location of the web page and schedule of when it would become effective.

 

Mr. Power reported that additional information on the Urban Forest Master Plan would be provided to the Council as it becomes available.

 

4.        Urban Forestry Council Membership Ordinance Amendments.  (Informational Report and Discussion) (Explanatory Document: Board of Supervisors Urban Forestry Council Membership Ordinance) Speaker: Deputy City Attorney Alicia Cabrera

 

Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that the legislation amending the membership of the Urban Forestry Council was approved by the Board of Supervisors.  The legislation would provide for a total of eleven voting members and four advisory members appointed by the following:

 

·         Seven voting Urban Forestry Council members appointed by the Board of Supervisors;

·         Two voting members appointed by City Departments that include the Planning Department and the Department of Public Works;

·         Two voting members appointed by the Mayor. 

·         Two Department advisory members--one to be appointed by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and one from the Recreation and Park Department; and

·         Two additional advisory members--one representative from the Redevelopment Agency and one from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area who would be invited to send representatives. 

 

Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that the Ordinance contains a clause that terminates the membership of all current members 30 days after its effective date.  Members are able to hold over their seat for an additional 60 days, but if an appointment has been made before then, the member’s appointment would terminate at that time.

 

Chair Milne explained that all members would have to reapply for their seat and inquired how department members’ appointments would be made.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera explained that department heads would be required to send a letter to the Council office appointing or reappointing a member.  Chair Milne explained that the Board of Supervisors Rules Committee would be considering appointments to the Council at a Committee meeting.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera explained that members should send in their applications individually to the Clerk of the Board’s office.

Chair Milne inquired about the difference in new membership requirements for members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.  Coordinator Hui reported that the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) member is no longer appointed by the Board, and one seat has changed from a community member to a member that is certified by a professional tree management organization.  Chair Milne stated that the Mayor would be making two appointments.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that the membership requirements for the appointments that the Mayor would fill would include one member from the tree care industry and one member at large.

 

Member Sustarich inquired how the change to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) appointment to advisory would affect Committee membership and voting capabilities.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera advised that the PUC appointment would be allowed to attend the meeting and provide input with permission of the Chair, but would not be allowed to vote.  Chair Milne reported that this rule would apply to all advisory members serving on Council Committees.  

 

Chair Milne asked whether a change of Bylaws would be required if the Committee structure were to change.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that an amendment to the Bylaws would be required since the Council’s Bylaws lists the number of members.  Chair Milne inquired whether advisory members could be asked to attend all meetings or just necessary meetings.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that advisory members can be asked to attend every meeting, but their attendance would not count toward a meeting quorum.

 

Member Short asked if existing members would submit their application to the Clerk of the Board and the Mayor. Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that members can submit an application to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors and would report on the process for submitting applications to the Mayor after she has researched the process.  Chair Milne reported that a letter is sent to the Mayor’s Office of Commission appointments, and the Mayor makes appointments that are effective immediately.

 

Member Habert inquired about what future action has to take place in regard to his membership as an advisory member from the Redevelopment Agency.  Chair Milne explained that the Redevelopment Agency Director would be required to send an appointment letter to the Urban Forestry Council. 

 

Chair Milne reported that he received a memo from the GGNRA stating that they want to withdraw their membership from the Council even though the legislation specifically mentions their membership.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that the legislation states that their attendance is by invitation and would not be mandatory, so the Ordinance would not have to be amended because of the request.

 

Member Blair inquired when the Ordinance would be effective.  Deputy City Attorney Cabrera reported that the Ordinance would become effective 30 days after the effective date.  The effective date of the Ordinance is October 19 ^th  and thirty days after October 19 ^th  is November 19 ^th .  Members could hold over their position 60 days after November 19th unless a reappointment has been made to that specific position. It was suggested that members start reapplying at this time.  

5.        Resolution Commending Vice-Chair Kelly Quirke for his Service to the Urban Forestry Council.  (Discussion and Action) (Explanatory Document: UFC Res File 2008-10-UFC Kelly Quirke Commendation)

 

Chair Milne reported that Member Quirke resigned from the Council and as Director to Friends of the Urban Forest. 

 

Public Comment:  Mr. Allen Grossman stated that it was unfortunate that Member Quirke had resigned and commended his good work on the Council.  Mr. Grossman stated that he knows that Member Quirke appreciates the Urban Forestry Council’s commendation and that he hopes that Member Quirke’s successor will be as qualified as he is.

 

Upon Motion by Member Short and second by Member Sustarich, the Resolution was adopted without objection (Explanatory Document:  Final Resolution No. 009-08-UFC.  Absent:  Members Boss, Cohen, Hillan, Marks, and Miller.

 

6.        Selection of Urban Forestry Council Letterhead.  (Discussion and Possible Action) (Explanatory Documents: UFC Letterhead Template Draft 1; UFC Letterhead Template Draft 2; and UFC Letterhead Template Draft 3) SPEAKER: Coordinator Hui

 

Council members provided their recommendations on letterhead format, font size, color, and content.  A discussion was held on cost factors related to using stationery color as opposed to black print.  Coordinator Hui explained that the Council does not use a significant amount of letterhead so cost would not be a significant factor. 

 

Upon Motion by Member Blair and second by Member Habert without objection, Council members approved the letterhead title to read “San Francisco Urban Forestry Council” without objection.  Absent:  Members Boss, Cohen, Hillan, Marks, and Miller.

 

Upon Motion by Member Rodgers and second by Member Short, without objection, Tahoma font was selected, text would be aligned to the left, the title letters would be expanded in width across the page, and contain two lines. Absent:  Members Boss, Cohen, Hillan, Marks, and Miller.

 

Upon Motion by Member Rodgers and second by Member Blair, without objection, green was selected as the font color.  Absent:  Members Boss, Cohen, Hillan, Marks, and Miller.

(Explanatory Document:  Letterhead Final)

  

7.        Proposal for Visible Identification of Landmark Trees after Designation. (Discussion and Possible Action) (Explanatory Documents: Visible Identification of Landmark Trees Proposal; Graphic: Landmark Tree Identification; Proposed Amended Graphic, and Visible Identification of Landmark Trees Recommendation) (Continued from the August 26, 2008 Meeting)

 

Chair Milne reported that the plaque would contain only a tree number because tree names would be too difficult to manufacture as each plaque would have to be different and would cost more to reproduce.  Coordinator Hui reported that the Grants Manager advised that a specific program outline would be required before seeking grant funding for this project.  Chair Milne explained that a design would have to be selected to send to the Grant Manager.  Coordinator Hui explained that design, cost, and number of plaques requested would be required.

 

Member Short recommended that the proposal contain a request for funding for design work since the Council does not have the funding to do the design.  It was explained that the wording, material, size, and thickness would have an effect on the cost.

 

Member Blair inquired whether the City has artists to consult with on the design.  It was recommended that the plaque should be educational, contain the name of the tree, and have an artist’s rendition. Member Sherk recommended including the Latin and common name as well as the place of origin.   Member Short reported that the City and the Department of the Environment does employ graphic designers and artists. 

 

Member Short recommended requesting funding for a bigger 9” size plaque.  Member Blair discussed the location where the plaque would be placed.  Member Short explained that the Bureau of Street Use and Mapping would have to grant permission to place something on the curb or sidewalk.  Member Short recommended a small plate that could be stamped with a number or species name that would be separately attached to the plaque, and asked the Coordinator to research the cost of a 2/5 plate that can be separately stamped. Member Griswold recommended a 3-inch diameter that is similar to the USGS that would be more versatile. Chair Milne explained that the website could provide additional information that cannot be included on the plaque.

 

Member Rodgers left the meeting during discussion of this item.

 

Upon Motion by Member Short and second by Member Sustarich without objection, the Proposed Amended Graphic was approved. Absent:  Members Boss, Cohen, Hillan, Marks, Miller and Rodgers.

    

8.        Agency Reporting Requirements to the Urban Forestry Council.  Methods for pursuing responses for the Annual Urban Forest Report from non-reporting City departments and agencies. (Discussion) (Explanatory Document: NonReporting Agencies UFC Annual Report) SPEAKER:  Coordinator Hui

 

Coordinator Hui reported that the Council previously requested that departments that did not respond to the Annual Report surveys attend meetings to explain why they did not respond.  Chair Milne reported that six departments did not respond to the survey, and one agency reported that they would not respond.  Coordinator Hui reported that the Presidio Trust reported that they would not respond due to legal concerns.  Chair Milne reported that the Redevelopment Agency and the Recreation and Park Department also did not respond. Member Short asked Coordinator Hui to inquire whether the Mayor’s Office of Greening Director had contacted the agencies that did not respond.  Member Habert reported on the difficulty in acquiring information for this report.  Member Nervo was asked who the best contact would be at the Recreation and Park Department, and she had responded that it would be Mr. Dennis Kerns.  Member Blair stated that the San Francisco Tree Council could submit data on assessment of parks that the Recreation and Park Department should have in relation to the urban forest and natural areas program.

 

Member Short explained that the legislation requires agencies to respond and recommended that they should be asked to attend a Council meeting to explain their behavior.  It was stated that if these agencies are ignoring the survey, it might not be easy to get them to attend a Council meeting explaining why.  It was suggested that Coordinator Hui also check the list of contacts for accuracy.  Coordinator Hui reported that departments had responded to her confirming current contacts or providing new ones.  Chair Milne instructed Coordinator Hui to ensure that the Mayor’s Director of Greening contact the agencies that did not respond.

 

9.        Staff Report.  Staff will provide updates on Urban Forestry Council administrative and programmatic operations relating to research, planning, funding, outreach, and other related activities. (Informational Report and Discussion)  Coordinator Hui reported on topics that include: status of the monthly meeting with the Mayor’s Office; landmark tree nominations approved and/or pending before the Board of Supervisors and Mayor; update of the landmark tree web page; status of Landmark Tree Certificates; landmark tree criteria update submittal; landmark tree outreach; urban forest funding presentation to the Council; Annual Urban Forest Report status; approval of the City seal on Urban Forestry Council letterhead; Council appointments; arborist certification exam classes, presentation to the Commission on the Environment’s Policy Committee on urban forestry activity, and her attendance at Department staff retreats on October 2 and 7 (see Staff Report for additional information).

 

10.     Committee Reports: (Informational Reports and Discussion)

Planning & Funding Committee, Chair, Carla Short

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2008, 4:15 p.m. at City Hall, Room 421. 

 

Chair Short reported that the Planning Committee at their September meeting (1) discussed Council letterhead and recommended that Coordinator Hui create models to present at today’s meeting; (2) discussed the Council’s Priority Work Plan Action Items and how it would relate to the Urban Forest Master Plan; (3) discussed the problem of non-reporting agencies to the Annual Report Survey and recommended that the full Council discuss the issue; and (4) discussed better tree protection on large-scale development projects.  It was suggested that members review current plans and request that representatives be invited to present plans before the Council.  It was recommended that the Urban Forest Plan address better tree protection on large-scale development projects.

 

Landmark Tree Committee, Chair, Mike Boss—Chair Boss was not in attendance to issue a report.  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, Room 421.  

 

11.    Chair’s Announcements: Terry Milne, Chair, Urban Forestry Council (Information and Discussion). Chair Milne announced that Coordinator Hui and he met with a Recreation and Park Department planner to discuss bond funding that the department had received for urban forestry activities.  It was reported that the planner had a lot of information to share, but could not provide information on financial strategies for future funding for urban forestry activities.  Chair Milne explained that a presentation would be made to the Council when more information is researched on how to acquire bond funding for tree maintenance. 

 

12.    New Business/Future Agenda Items. (Information and Discussion). Member Blair explained that the San Francisco Tree Council was called to save a tree and commended the Department of Public Works and the Police Department Central Station for their effort in saving the tree.  Member Blair explained that the 311 employees were not aware of the Police number that they should call or give out to the public to call when a tree needs maintenance or for tree violations.  Member Blair reported that she had emailed 311 supervisors to advise them of the correct number.  Member Blair suggested that the Council take an interest in issuing a formal request to the 311 Department.  Member Short reported that she had contacted a 311 supervisor to make sure they have the Police non-emergency number and explained that she does interact with them on a monthly basis.  Member Short reported that 311 forwards dozens of service requests to DPW daily and DPW does do follow-up.

 

13.    Public Comment:  Members of the public may address the Council on matters that are within the Council’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda.  Ms. Anne Eng, Department of the Environment thanked the Council and commended members for their hard work, dedication, and service throughout their appointment to the Council and stated that she looks forward to working with the Council in the future.

 

14.    Adjournment.  The Urban Forestry Council meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

 

The next meeting of the Urban Forestry Council is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 416, City Hall.

Copies of explanatory documents are available to the public at the Department of the Environment, 11 Grove Street, San Francisco, California between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., by clicking on the links by each agenda item above, or upon request to the Council Secretary at the address listed below, telephone number 415-355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected].

Respectfully submitted by,

 

Monica Fish, Council Secretary

 

*Approved:  October 28, 2008