URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

 

ORDER OF BUSINESS

 

1.      Call to Order and Roll Call.  The Urban Forestry Council Meeting convened at 8:37 a.m. Present: Chair Milne, Vice-Chair D’Agostino, Council Members Buck, Cohen, Hillan, LeBeau, Rodgers, Sherk (9:00 a.m.), and Vargas; Advisory Members Present: Member Nervo; Excused: Member Sustarich; (2 Vacant). In attendance at the meeting was Urban Forestry Council Coordinator Mei Ling Hui and Monica Fish, Commission Secretary.  There was public present for this meeting.

 

2.      Adoption of Minutes of the December 11, 2009 Urban Forestry Council Regular Meeting. (See Explanatory Document below: December 11, 2009 Draft Minutes) (Discussion and Action)  Upon Motion by Member Cohen, second by Member D’Agostino, the December 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes were approved without objection ((AYES: Chair Milne, Vice-Chair D’Agostino, Council Members Buck, Cohen, Hillan, LeBeau, Rodgers, and Vargas Absent:  Member Sherk) (See Explanatory Document below:  December 11, 2009 Approved Minutes).

 

3.      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.  There was no public comment at this time.

 

4.      Resolution Commending Carolyn Blair for her Service to the Urban Forestry Council.  (See Explanatory Document below:  Resolution File 2010-02-UFC) Presenter: Council Chair Terry Milne (Discussion and Action). Council Chair Milne read the Resolution commending Ex-Officio Member Blair for her service to the Council.  Upon Motion by Member Rodgers second by Member Cohen, the Resolution was approved without objection (AYES: Chair Milne, Vice-Chair D’Agostino, Council Members Buck, Cohen, Hillan, LeBeau, Rodgers, and Vargas Absent:  Member Sherk) (See Explanatory Document below:  Approved Resolution)

 

5.      Annual Review and Approval of Resolution adopting the Recommended Street Tree List for 2010. (See Explanatory Documents below: Draft Resolution File 2010-01-UFC and Recommended Street Tree List) (Discussion and Action)  Coordinator Hui reported that the Street Tree List and Resolution would reflect that the Street Tree List was readopted on January 22, 2010.  Upon Motion by Member Hillan, second by Member Buck, the Resolution adopting the Recommended Street Tree List for 2010 was approved without objection (AYES: Chair Milne, Vice-Chair D’Agostino, Council Members Buck, Cohen, Hillan, LeBeau, Rodgers, and Vargas; Absent:  Member Sherk). (See Explanatory Documents below:  Approved Resolution and Recommended Street Tree List for 2010).  

 

 

6.      Informational Report on proposed Green Landscaping Ordinance and Review of Draft Resolution. The Council will consider the proposed Green Landscaping Ordinance and discuss if a formal recommendation should be made next month. (See Explanatory Documents below:  Green Landscaping Ordinance and Draft Resolution File 2010-03-UFC) Sponsor and Speaker:  Council Member AnMarie Rodgers (Informational Report and Discussion) 

 

Member Rodgers reported on the provisions of the Green Landscaping Ordinance and Council Members held a discussion.  Member Rodgers explained that the Planning Commission would be considering the legislation at their February meeting and then forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.  Council Members were asked to send in their comments and suggestions to Coordinator Hui. This agenda item was continued to the February 23 Council meeting in order to finalize a Resolution of recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. 

 

7.      Development and Trees. The Council will review and discuss tree disclosure and protection requirements when developing near protected trees as it relates to the tree protection zone described for Landmark and Significant trees. (Continued from the December 11, 2009 Meeting) Sponsor and Speaker: Council Member AnMarie Rodgers. (Informational Report and Discussion) Member Rodgers distributed a Planning Department publication on “What you should know about the Tree Protection Legislation” (PDF) http://www.sfdbi.org/ftp/uploadedfiles/dbi/Key_Information/TreeProtectionLegislation.pdf and Tree Disclosure Statement http://www.sf-planning.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5380 at the meeting.

 

Member Rodgers recommended that the Council work on creating a Resolution for the Board of Supervisors and Mayor that would be directed to departments that regulate construction, e.g., the Planning Department, Department of Building Inspection that would encourage City departments to pay particular attention to the importance of requiring a tree disclosure statement for protected trees during new development and providing a tree protection plan by a certified arborist.  The Council was also asked to consider recommending that the Landmark Tree Ordinance be amended to expand the protected area beyond the canopy and drip line if applicable.   

 

Public Comment:  Ms. Rose Hillson reported on her concern with the Planning Department’s tree protection forms and publications stating that the definition of the current tree protection zone would not protect her landmarked Manzanita tree if future development was planned.  She recommended that the tree protection zone be changed to a case by case basis.

 

Council members discussed their ideas for protection zones for landmark trees and examples of when trees would not be protected under the provisions of the current Ordinance.  A discussion was also held on adding a form of protection to trees that are currently being planted in an effort to expand the urban forest, but are not protected from development. This agenda item was forwarded to the Planning and Funding Committee to create a Resolution and then would be forwarded to the Council for action.  

 

8.      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) (Explanatory Document:  Staff Report)

 

Council Coordinator Hui reported on topics that include:

·         Status of Council membership and outreach efforts;

·         Status of current landmark tree nominations that are pending at the Board of Supervisors;

·         March 6 Arbor Day events and projects to highlight; Green Resource Fair;

·         Urban Gleaning Project and project partners;

·         Green Christmas Tree program;

·         Work with Climate Action Coordinator to incorporate urban forest projects into the Climate Action Plan;

·         Scheduling and planning for the Annual Pruning workshop in June;

·         Planning for second Strategic Planning Session;

·         Jobs Now Environment Now program staff support on urban forestry projects.

  

9.      Committee Reports: (Informational Reports and Discussion)

Planning & Funding Committee Chair’s Report

The Chair will report on the January 21, 2010 meeting.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2010, 4:15 p.m. at City Hall, Room 421.

 

Planning and Funding Committee Chair Buck reported that the Committee at their January 21 meeting discussed (1) scheduling a second strategic planning session retreat possibly in March; (2) greening of lots where development is on hold as an opportunity to enhance the urban forest.  Committee members discussed ideas for potential uses. This item was continued for further discussion to the February 18 Committee meeting; and (3) developing a Resolution that would encourage all City and private agencies to follow recommendations by the Pine Pitch Canker Task Force on management strategies for pine pitch canker that would be forwarded to the Council for discussion and possible action at their February 23 meeting.

 

Landmark Tree Ad Hoc Committee Chair’s Report.  A report was not made at this time.

 

10.  Chair’s Announcements: Terry Milne, Chair, Urban Forestry Council (Information and Discussion) There was no report at this time.

 

11.  New Business/Future Agenda Items. (Information and Discussion).  Future agenda items included a request by Member Cohen to discuss amending the Landmark Tree Ordinance to consider landmarking groves and/or groups of trees.  Member LeBeau reported that there would be a Tu B’Shevat, Jewish tree planting celebration, to be held on January 31^st in Bernal Hill.  Member Sherk reported that there would also be a Tu B’Shevat activity as part of Nature Walk at St. Mary’s Park.

 

12.  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.  There was no public comment at this time.

 

13.  Adjournment.  The Urban Forestry Council meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m.

 

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 attachments with each agenda or meeting minutes, or upon request to the Council Secretary at the address listed below, telephone number 415-355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected].

 

Urban Forestry Council

San Francisco Department of the Environment

City and County of San Francisco

11 Grove Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

 

Respectfully submitted by,

 

Monica Fish, Council Secretary  

 

Approved: March 26, 2010