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Council committee confirms two nominees to Seattle Urban Forestry Commission
Summary
The Land Use Committee voted 5-0 to recommend confirmation of Tristan Fields and Andrea Starbird to the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission. Members praised the nominees' professional backgrounds in arboriculture and landscape architecture and said additional vacancies on the commission will be brought forward in April.
The Land Use Committee recommended confirmation of two nominees to the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission Monday, voting 5-0 to forward the appointments to full council.
The committee moved to recommend confirmation of Tristan Fields for Position 6 (landscape architect) and Andrea Starbird for Position 12 (public health representative). Council members praised Fields' combined credentials in landscape architecture and arboriculture and Starbird's work organizing local arborists.
Lauren Ergensen, urban forestry policy and programs manager in the Office of Sustainability and Environment, said the office and Councilmember Salomon's staff are working to fill the remaining five vacancies on the commission and expected the additional nominees to come to committee in April.
Tristan Fields introduced herself briefly at the committee table and described a background that includes a master's degree in landscape architecture, certifications in arboriculture and tree appraisal, and work leading Land Meets Water, LLC, a DBE/WBE. Andrea Starbird, who could not attend, submitted a statement describing her experience as a certified arborist, tree risk assessor, and founder of Starbird Environmental; the committee read her statement into the record.
Committee member remarks highlighted the nominees' professional experience: Councilmember Strauss praised Starbird's organizing role in forming the Seattle Arborist Association; other members commended Fields for professional involvement with the International Society of Arboriculture and tree-appraisal committees.
The committee clerk called the roll on the recommendation to confirm the appointments. Vice Chair Strauss, Councilmember Moore, Councilmember Rink, Councilmember Rivera and Chair Solomon voted yes; the committee reported five votes in favor and zero opposed. The appointments will be transmitted to the March 25, 2025 full council meeting for final confirmation.
Why it matters: A fully seated Urban Forestry Commission advises city departments on tree and urban forest policies. Members emphasized the commission's role in the city's comprehensive planning and tree-code implementation.
Next steps: The committee recommended the appointments; the nominations will appear on the March 25 council meeting agenda for final confirmation.
