URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL 

PLANNING & FUNDING COMMITTEE

 

REGULAR MEETING

APPROVED MINUTES

 

Thursday, January 20, 2011, 4:15 p.m.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Chris Buck (Chair), Maria D’Agostino, Terry Milne, Bonnie Ora Sherk, Daniel Sider

 

Order of Business

 

1.      Call to Order and Roll Call.  The Urban Forestry Council Planning and Funding Committee meeting convened at 4:23 p.m.  Council Chair D’Agostino reported that she has appointed Council Member Daniel Sider to the Planning and Funding Committee. Present:  Committee Members Buck, D’Agostino, Milne, and Sider; Excused:  Member Sherk. 

 

2.   Approval of Minutes of the November 18, 2010 and August 20, 2009 Urban Forestry Council Planning and Funding Committee Regular Meetings. (Explanatory Document: November 18, 2010 Corrected Draft and Approved Minutes and August 20, 2009 Draft and Approved Minutes) (Discussion and Action)

 

Upon Motion by Member Milne, second by Member D’Agostino, the August 20, 2009 and November 18, 2010 Meeting Minutes were approved without objection (AYES:  Members Buck, D’Agostino, Milne and Sider; Absent:  Member Sherk).

 

3.      Public Comments:  Members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda.  There were no members of the public present at this time.

 

4.      Annual Review of the Recommended Street Tree List for 2011 for recommendation to the Urban Forestry Council. (Explanatory Document: 2010 Recommended Street Tree List) (Discussion and Action)

 

Committee Chair Buck reported that the intent of the Recommended Street Tree List annual review is to determine how the recommended species on the list are doing and identify opportunities to add new species.  The list is intended as a reference guide for the type of species that may do well in San Francisco.  Council Coordinator Hui reported that this list was created by Friends of the Urban Forest, Department of Public Works representatives, and Council representatives and staff.  One of the guidelines is for the Council to annually review the list and make changes as appropriate.  She stated that since the Council adopted the list several years ago, no changes have been made.

 

Committee Members reviewed the trees on the list and provided suggestions.  Committee Member D’Agostino suggested, upon agreement of Committee Members, to form a Work Group to update and review the intent of the list.  The Work Group would provide recommendations to the Planning and Funding Committee who in turn would make recommendations to the full Council.  Committee Member Milne stated that it is important to gather input from the Department of Public Works since they maintain the list.  Council Coordinator Hui reported that she would contact Friends of the Urban Forest for their input. She suggested that the Work Group identify other planting locations in addition to street trees.  Member Sider suggested that (1) the title accurately reflect that the Urban Forestry Council endorses the list, and that it was created in collaboration with Friends of the Urban Forest and the Department of Public Works; and (2) making the disclaimer more descriptive. 

 

This agenda item was forwarded to the Council meeting of January 28, 2011 in order to gather Council member’s input.  The Work Group would schedule a meeting to work on the list.  Continued to the February 17, 2011 Planning and Funding Committee meeting.  

 

5.      Urban Forestry and Watershed Management.  The Committee discussed the role that trees play in watershed management in San Francisco. (Discussion)

 

Committee Chair Buck reported that Committee Member Sherk sponsored this agenda topic because she is interested in linking the Council’s work on urban forestry management with watershed management.  He reported on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) programs and funding allocated to urban watershed management projects. Committee Member Sider discussed the Planning Department’s Western South of Market Citizens Planning Task Force’s work and how it may apply to sidewalk landscaping of street trees. Chair Buck discussed Department of Public Works programs that would promote watershed management programs that include (1) Bureau of Street Use and Mapping sidewalk improvement repair program that offers property owner incentives to do sidewalk landscaping, and (2) “Gray Green” program to increase sidewalk landscaping in partnership with the San Francisco Botanical Garden.  

 

Committee Members discussed identifying ways to issue tax credits for people with green infrastructure in order to enhance sidewalk landscaping. Council Coordinator Hui discussed the idea of creating a map to show where trees should be planted in order to open up ground space to reduce flooding and to deal with salt water bubble intrusion.   

 

Council Coordinator Hui discussed the link between climate, trees, and watershed management and suggested a presentation to the Council by the SFPUC and the Department of the Environment’s Climate Action Coordinator in order to identify best practices and next steps the Council can promote. It was suggested that the “Gray Green” presentation be held at that same meeting to be scheduled in either February or March.

 

6.      Urban Forestry Council Goals for 2011. The Committee discussed the need to identify three high-priority achievable goals for 2011.  (Explanatory Documents: Urban Forestry Council Strategic Planning Retreat Outcomes and Next Steps, San Francisco Urban Forestry Council Bylaws, with an emphasis on Article I, Section 4: Purpose and Responsibilities and Article 8, Section 5: The Planning and Funding Committee.) (Discussion)

 

Committee members identified goals for the Council to focus on based on the strategic planning process retreat outcomes.  These include (1) increasing Council visibility and communication to build Council credibility and influence with key decision makers.  Action item is to build and/or further develop relationships with neighborhood groups and supervisors; (2) educating the public and activating/empowering citizen groups. Action items are to (a) explore methods to support work addressing construction related tree damage, excessive pruning, and unpermitted removal of public trees; (b) prepare “How to” guides for education and enforcement; and (c) increase engagement in Arbor Day events.  Additional suggestions included seeking out a landmarkable tree in a neighborhood and focusing on steps to tackle excessive pruning of trees and outreach.

 

7.      New Business/Future Agenda Items. (Discussion)  Committee Chair Buck announced that he would like to remain on the Committee but starting in April, he may be too busy to be Chair.  Member D’Agostino requested a review of the Council Bylaws as an agenda item.  Council Coordinator Hui requested a discussion about Arbor Day activities and Council involvement.

 

8.      Public Comments:  Members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda.  There were no members of the public present at this time.

 

9.      Adjournment.  The Planning and Funding Committee meeting adjourned at approximately 6:08 p.m.

 

The next Planning and Funding Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 4:15 p.m., City Hall, Room 421.

 

Copies of explanatory documents are available to the public at the Department of 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 meeting minutes posted online https://sites.google.com/a/sfenvironment.org/commission/urban-forestry-council/planning-funding-committee, or upon request to the Council Secretary at the address listed above, telephone number 415-355-3709, or via e-mail at [email protected].

 

Respectfully submitted by,

Monica Fish, Council Secretary