Sandpoint commissioners prioritize tree planting, diversity and ordinance review; inventory update, enforcement and pest planning discussed

Sandpoint’s Urban Forestry Commission spent most of its Oct. 23 meeting outlining priorities for the coming year and debating how to protect and replenish the city’s tree canopy.

City staff liaison and city forester Eric Busch told commissioners the Commission should draft three to five priorities for 2026 that the mayor and City Council can consider alongside the budget and the comprehensive plan. Commissioners coalesced around two primary priorities to forward in time for council: a tree-planting program that includes species-diversity goals, and a review of the city tree ordinance to address permit compliance and enforcement. They also discussed a tree inventory update, budget needs, and responses to pests such as emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease.

Busch said the city was awarded an IRA grant earlier in 2025 that includes funds for updating the tree inventory. The grant was briefly paused but later restored; staff plan to contract for an updated inventory next spring and complete work in summer 2026. Busch cautioned the commission that the most recent comprehensive inventory was done nearly a decade ago and will not reflect recent losses. He said the inventory update is already funded in the grant and will inform planting needs and canopy-replacement targets.

Commissioners and members of the public raised enforcement and compliance concerns. Busch described recurring noncompliance with the city’s tree-permit process: some property owners remove trees without permits and some contractors perform work on city right-of-way trees without required permits. Staff and commissioners discussed the city’s legal pathway for enforcement: a tree appraisal can generate a monetary valuation that is taken to the county prosecutor; if the prosecutor pursues charges, fines can be levied and funds go to the city’s general fund. Busch said a recent appraisal cost the city about $1,500 and that legal follow-up can be slow. Commissioners discussed whether the city could require those who remove trees illegally to pay appraisal and enforcement costs and whether an ordinance could direct fines or fees to a dedicated urban forestry fund.

Commissioners also discussed practical steps: training the city forester in tree appraisal methods to reduce outside-appraisal costs, clarifying permit procedures, and compiling a prioritized budget request for the city’s fiscal process. Busch said internal capital budgeting conversations begin in June–July and recommended the commission begin a budget request conversation in February so the commission can prepare a detailed proposal for fiscal-year 2027 (which begins Oct. 1, 2026).

Public commenter Jane Fritz said longtime residents have watched downtown and park trees decline following sidewalk and parking-lot work and urged the city to give tree protections equal force to other ordinances. “It is really sad what’s happening in this community,” Fritz said, describing exposed roots, compacted soil and declining canopies on beloved specimens near the Farm and Park and downtown.

Commissioners noted recent plantings: staff reported 17 street trees were recently installed downtown, listing species and counts (seven London plane trees, multiple beeches, ginkgos and oaks among them). Busch also reported he is participating on a state Emerald Ash Borer advisory committee; the city’s representatives received a draft outline for a statewide emerald ash borer response plan. Commissioners suggested including pest detection and handling (testing, disposal and timing of pruning) in the city’s ordinance review.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the commission voted to postpone finalizing its top-priority list until the November meeting when more commissioners are expected to be present so the list can reflect full membership input.