During a recent city council meeting, discussions centered on the future of the city's forestry management, particularly the potential hiring of a full-time city forester. Council members expressed concerns regarding the extension of the current arborist's contract, advocating for a more flexible month-to-month arrangement while the city works towards establishing a dedicated forestry position.

City Manager McDonald outlined the current staffing allocation plan, which includes a proposal for a forester to be presented in September. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining tree permit services during this transitional phase, noting that recruitment for the new position could take until the start of the new year. The council has the option to cancel the current arborist contract with 30 days' notice if deemed unnecessary.

Public comments highlighted frustrations over the city's delayed action on forestry issues. Residents pointed out that previous goals set by the council had not been adequately addressed, particularly regarding the management of tree inventories and the oversight of herbicide applications. Concerns were raised about the arborist's capacity to fulfill responsibilities within the limited hours allocated, with suggestions that the contract should be renewed for shorter terms to ensure accountability and responsiveness.

Several community members expressed strong support for the hiring of a full-time forester, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the city's tree canopy and ensuring compliance with municipal codes. They urged the council to expedite the hiring process and ensure that the new forester possesses the necessary qualifications, ideally as an arborist.

The meeting underscored a collective desire for improved forestry management and accountability, as residents called for more proactive measures to address longstanding issues within the city's tree care and urban forestry programs.